The apostle Paul says, "By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But 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". First Corinthians 3:10,11 NIV
By special favor (God's grace), Paul was chosen to be the expert builder for this foundation that God had in mind for us. I don't know much about carpentry, but I know enough that you can't build a house without a firm foundation. This foundation is usually contracted out to another source, before the carpenter starts his construction. The carpenter has many material options to choose from to build his house. It can be made of brick, wood, stone, steel or even cardboard or cloth. Have you ever seen the Yurt shelters?
God found favor with apostle Paul and gave him the power to lay a firm foundation that no man can tamper with without serious repercussion. Any man can build on this already laid foundation. And that foundation is Jesus Christ. Paul said, "I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." He said, "I came to you in weakness and fear and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith may not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power."
Paul said, "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."
Do we not know that hay or straw would burn up quickly when tested by fire?
What about wood tested in the fire? There are some woods that burn up quicker than other types of wood.
When a carpenter builds a house, he chooses carefully his building materials. Why? For fear of loss?
Remember the story of the three little pigs? One built with straw, one built with sticks and one built with bricks; and when the big bad wolf got hungry and came knocking, he tested the little pigs' homes. Which little pig's home stood the test? And, what happened to the big bad wolf?
What does all this mean when we build on the foundation of Jesus Christ?
Paul said, "the fire (big bad wolf) will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, the builder will receive his reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames." First Corinthians 3:10-17 NIV
Building your spiritual life with the best of materials makes for a continuing better relationship with our Lord.
Continue this topic another day....
Your comments are welcome.
