My Walk With Him: Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

Friday, September 8, 2023

Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. 1 Corinthians 3:12-15

I continue my study of 1 Corinthians. I am assisted in my study by the Christ-Centered Exposition Series commentary for this book. Today my focus is a review - unaided by the commentary - of 1 Corinthians 3:5-17. Here, Paul continues to admonish the church in Corinth for its divisions and conflict - with a key challenge being "cult of personality" where believers are incorrectly worshiping teachers and pastors and not God Himself. Paul starts by describing Apollos and himself as servants or instruments of the Lord using the analogy of farming where they are only planting or watering and "God [gives] the growth" (v5-7). Those who plant and water - and anyone playing a role using spiritual gifts distributed by God - is rewarded by God "according to his labor" (v8). Believers are the workers to build God's temple, some focusing on the foundation, while others build on top of the foundation (v9-10). Paul seeks for all believers to "take care how" the temple is built as we must ensure that Jesus Christ is the foundation (v11). Our relationship with Christ then comes into focus as Paul describes how all believers should strive to build a foundation with Christ as strongly as we can leaning on the Word, the Holy Spirit, etc. to do its sanctification work within us. Paul warns us that the strength of our relationship will be tested on judgement day (v12-15) and there are some who may perish given a foundation that was never truly built on Jesus Christ (v16-17).

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and I am grateful for how You have drawn me near to build a foundation upon which I am prayerful will stand the test of Judgement Day. I know there is more work to do but I am thankful for what You have done so far. I am not deserving of such grace and blessing. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.