1 Corinthians 3 - 1.20.26
SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 “By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, their builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, their builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved - even though only one as escaping through the flames.”
OBSERVATION: Paul exhorted all spiritual leaders to build only on the foundation of Jesus Christ. Jesus told Peter, “I will build My Church, and the forces of Hades will not prevail against it”. (Matthew 16:18). The Church is victorious because Jesus built it! According to Paul, we are ALL to be involved in building up the body of Christ. (Eph 4:16).
APPLICATION: So what does it mean to build on the True foundation? It simply means to faithfully live our lives in accordance and obedience to God’s Word, and to become mature by allowing ourselves to be strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit. As Christ-followers, we become mature by following Jesus’ example. In order to build well, we must have proper motives that are in accordance with God’s Word. If our motives aren’t pure, the quality of our work won’t measure up to God’s standard.
One day we will all stand before God to give account of our ministry motives and faithfulness. It is very important that we build on God’s plan, not our own! God’s plan is symbolized as gold, silver and costly stones. The self-centered and sinful plan is built on wood, hay and straw.
PRAYER: I pray we will depend on God to help us build according to His divine plan, and that we will be obedient to follow the example that Jesus lived out. Thank You Lord for the rewards You give to those who follow after You, and who build their lives on You! And thank You that our best and greatest rewards await us in eternity.
- Robin Orefice
