1 Corinthians 3:10-15, "According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire."
According to the grace of God: In describing Paul's work among the Corinthians, he begins with a declaration of grace. He knew that his status as a worker in God's field, or on God's building, was based on God's undeserved favor, not on his own deserving or merit.
I have laid the foundation: When Paul founded the church in Corinth (Acts 18), he set the only foundation that can be laid: the person and work of Jesus Christ. Yet he knew that others would come after him and build on the foundation he set.
So, let each one take heed how he builds on it. There is only one foundation for the church. If it isn't founded on Jesus Christ, it isn't a church at all.
By using the figures of gold, silver, and precious stones, Paul seems to have in mind the temple building materials (1 Chronicles 22:14, 16; 29:2). The "building" God is constructing in His people, with His fellow workers is His "temple."
Precious stones doesn't mean jewels, but fine stone materials like marble and granite. Mixing the wisdom of men with the wisdom of God in the work of building the church is like using alternate layers of straw and marble in building. Straw may be fine, it may have a place (in the barn), but it is an inadequate building material. In the same way, human wisdom and fleshly attractions may have a place in life, but not in the building of the church.
The fire will test each one's work: When our work is tested by God, it will be revealed what kind of work it was. Just as fire will destroy wood, hay, and straw, but not gold, silver, and precious stones, so the work of some will be revealed as nothing on that Day.
It is a sobering thought: many, many people who believe they are serving God, but are doing it in an unworthy manner or with unworthy "materials" will come to find in eternity that they have, in reality, done nothing for the Lord. Some will be saved, but with a life that was wasted, and receive no crown to give to Jesus, for His glory (as in Revelation 4:10-11). He himself will be saved, yet so as through the fire: Saved, but barely saved, and saved with everything gone.
Dear God, please let my life be only a reflection of Jesus alone. Burn away everything that is not of Christ in my life!!
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