A BELIEVERS FOUNDATION IS JESUS THE CHRIST

PROCLAMATION

“By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation … no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.  If anyone builds on this foundation … their work will be shown for what it is … it will be revealed with fire, and fire will test the quality of each person’s work.  If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.  If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved …”  1 Corinthians 3:10-15 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Paul began this chapter by telling the believers in Corinth that they were still “worldly, mere infants in Christ” quarreling and jealous, and he had to feed them The Word of God as milk for they were not ready for it as solid food. (1 Corinthians 3:1-3)  It was not important which leader they followed for all of them were servants, vehicles which brought them The Word of God. (1 Corinthians 3:4-5)  One of them planted the seed and one watered it but only God made it grow. (1 Corinthians 3:6-9)  Then he told them that he given them the foundation, Jesus Christ, and they should be careful what they build upon that foundation.  All that they built, their work in this life, would be judged and tested with fire.  Only those things which gave God glory would pass through the fire.  He ended the chapter by telling them that their body is God’s temple.  The Spirit of God dwells within them and they should be careful how they treat that temple. (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)

 

APPLICATION

Only what we do for Christ will be counted in the end.  As believers we will pass through the fire on Judgment Day but our work and efforts here on earth which did not glorify God will be burned up.  Only those things which gave God glory will survive the fire and we will receive a reward for them.  Everything that we have done in our lives from the moment we accepted Christ will constitute our works, and only that which glorified God will be counted in the final tally.  As believers, it is on Christ the solid Rock we stand and build our house. (Luke 6:48 and 1 Corinthians 10:4)