Everyone is talking about the massive five-alarm fire in Raleigh that started last Thursday evening at the Metropolitan apartment building under construction at 314 W. Jones Street and quickly spread to four other buildings. The fire smoke plume was so large that it was picked up on radar. The Edenton Street Methodist Church suffered significant fire and water damage but managed to have services last Sunday. The good news is that there were no reported serious injuries although one fireman was wounded from falling glass.
While the cause of the fire is under investigation many comments have been made about the wood construction of the Metropolitan apartment building. Wood construction on apartment complexes, schools and other projects is common but they are most vulnerable in the construction process because sprinkler systems have yet to be installed.
Praise is being heaped upon the heroic firefighters and first responders who risked their lives to contain the fire resulting in no loss of life. A grateful city is indebted to these dedicated servants.
While the Raleigh fire brings into questioning materials used in building physical structures, we are reminded of the Apostle Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 about building a life.
“Each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any
foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If
any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones,
wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because
the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire
will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives,
he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he
himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.”
The foundation upon which we are to build our lives in Jesus Christ. No other foundation is substantial. The building materials that are offered to us by God are as lasting as gold, silver and costly stones. Those building materials are called fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness and faithfulness, unlike the building materials that the world offers: selfishness, greed, jealous, prejudice, hatred, etc., God’s building materials will never perish, spoil or fade away. In building our lives we are wise to use the materials that God provides. Any other material is subject to loss.
In His Love,
Charles
