Author: Charlie Garrett

Friday, 2 May 2014

Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,… 1 Corinthians 3:12

Paul has been speaking of his laying the foundation at Corinth, the foundation which is Jesus Christ. In time, others like Apollos, had or would come to build upon that message he proclaimed. It is to their work that Paul now directs his attention. He begins with “Now if anyone builds on this foundation…” Again, the foundation is Christ Jesus.

In time, teachers will come and present their words and doctrine concerning Christ. Some will be well-trained, some will be not-so-well trained. Some may be opportunists (Philippians 1:15-18), some may be so far out in left-field that they completely botch their presentation of Christ. However, all are building “on this foundation.” This implies that they are true believers and not heretics proclaiming a false gospel. They are building on the foundation of Christ.

With this in mind, Paul gives six possibilities for their proclamation. In successive order he begins with the most precious and enduring and ends with the least. In each there is a quality that will be measured by a trial. This trial will be seen in the verses ahead. How that quality stands up to the trial is what his words are directed to. But until we arrive there, we can discern a few things about what has been presented. As we look at their qualities, think of them as a sermon, a teaching on doctrine, or the work of someone within the church (even the person in the pew who shares the simple gospel):

1) The first two are metals. They are strong and enduring. They will stand up to heat, constant use, time, the elements, quality tests, molding for specific occasions, etc. They serve multi-purposes, are beautiful, and are treasured by those who own them and those who use them. They are more uncommon than any of the following things. It usually takes much effort to obtain them as they are hidden in the ground or in otherwise hard to access places. They must be refined in order to remove impurities and the refining process can continue to improve them until the metal is of the finest quality of all. When they are so refined, they reflect back the beauty of the beholder perfectly.

2) The third, precious stones, are beautiful. They will stand up to heat, they often become more lustrous through constant use (polishing them), or they can be marred and chipped through over-use. They can withstand the elements very well. They cannot be molded, but are fixed in their make up. Depending on what stone, they may be suited to multi-purposes, but not all are. They are treasured by those who possess them and are a delight to the eyes of those who see them. Depending on the type of stone, it may be difficult to find, or it may be easy to remove from an outcropping of such stones and surrounding material. They do not need to be refined as much as they need to be shaped and polished for maximum luster. When they are so polished, they will often radiate the glory of light through them in a dazzling array of colors.

3) The fourth, wood, is more common than the first three, but there are many types of wood and some are rarer than others. Each wood is suitable for different uses. They will not stand up to high heat well, but some can stand up to the elements better than others. They can be cut and formed into an unlimited number of shapes. They can be left course or polished to an immensely high luster. With a protective coating, they can shine like precious stones. Most woods are easy to obtain and work with. They can be plain to the eye, radiantly adorned with knots or grain, or they can be astonishingly beautiful in natural color with even little grain being noticed. Other than the wood itself, much of what it entails when added into a building is of human effort and shaping. In the end, very few woods last for many ages but eventually degrade over time.

4) The last two, hay and straw, are actually used as building materials, but they are temporary and will not stand up to any excessive heat. Instead they will quickly burn up. The elements will degrade them, they can be easily molded into shapes, even twisted in an unnatural way in order to be used. In and of themselves, they don’t really leave anything to stir either the imagination or please the eye, but if twisted and contorted, they can be woven into marvelously beautiful patterns which direct our attention toward them. Such patterns though are only the result of man’s efforts and were not inherently a part of their make up. Other than very limited and often showy, temporary uses, they are not good for building on a solid foundation.

Life application: In evaluating the elements described above, remember that the qualities of them are being used by Paul in a metaphorical way to describe what we as servants of the Lord either add to the foundation or enjoy once they are added to the foundation. Everything we do for the Lord, or enjoy concerning the Lord (such as a particular form of worship or type of sermon) is considered an addition to the foundation. But every addition will be tested for value and endurance. Let us add wisely.

Heavenly Father, You have shown that everything I do for the cause of Christ has a specific value. It may be very precious, semi-precious, common but acceptable, or very common and not so useful. Help me to wisely use the abilities You have given me to be of the highest quality and value so that they will endure the test at my judgment and come through it as something that was pleasing to You. Help me to use this one life to Your glory. Amen.

Thursday, 1 May 2014

For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:11

In verse 10, Paul said “I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it.” As a wise master-builder, he began the church at Corinth with a solid foundation; the solid foundation. Had he come as a philosopher with the wisdom of the Greeks or as a Jewish rabbi with the traditions of the Pharisees in order to build the church, there would be nothing truly solid for others to build on. But he came with the one Foundation that all of Scripture points to, Jesus.

“For” refers directly to the preceding verse which said, “let each one take heed how he builds on it.” If Paul laid the foundation and others came with conflicting instruction, there would be no cohesion in the building. If one is to build a solid foundation and put up a house of reeds, the house will simply blow off the solid rock. He has wisely laid the foundation on what all of Scripture points to. Isaiah 28:16 shows us a hint of what was coming –

“Therefore thus says the Lord God:
‘Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation,
A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation;
Whoever believes will not act hastily.'”

This idea is cited at least five times in the New Testament and it is speaking of Jesus Christ. He is the cornerstone which is the foundation of the work of God. From this, there must be a harmonious erection of the rest of the building using the same material. This then speaks of the principle doctrines of the faith – the Trinity (which implies the Deity of Christ), the virgin birth, the incarnation, the all-sufficient atoning death of Christ, the resurrection of Christ, the surety of His coming again, etc.

If these principle doctrines are denied or skewed, they cannot be a part of the house which God is building. Nothing else can be added as well. It is heretical to teach a “sinless” state in Mary for example. We can have no other Mediator between us and God. And so on. It is all Christ, only Christ, and the properly-proclaimed Christ which must be the building materials upon the foundation, which is Christ.

Life application: Be careful to always return to the core teachings of Christ, never adding to, subtracting from, or twisting them as you go.

Lord God, help me to think clearly on the all-important matter of biblical doctrine and not to replace Your intent with my own. Keep me from the sin of bad doctrine. Keep me focused on Jesus – without addition, subtraction, or manipulation. What a precious word, O God. Help me to never diminish its luster. Amen.

Wednesday, 30 April 2014

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. 1 Corinthians 3:10

In this verse, Paul begins with “According to the grace of God which was given to me…” Paul was, as he states himself several times in his writings, a soul needing God’s grace and mercy. In 1 Timothy 1:12-14, he describes his former life this way –

“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.”

Despite his previous life, God bestowed His great grace on Paul, calling him as an apostle. But more than that, he called him to be the Apostle to the Gentiles. The very thing which would have been most repugnant to him at one time, became the passion of his soul. In his calling, he became “a wise master builder.” Here the Greek word is architektōn; an architect. He was given the responsibility to design the new structure of the gentile church by the wisdom God had ordained him with. His personal instruction, followed up by his letters are what provide that structure for churches even today.

In this solemn task, he “laid the foundation.” There at Corinth (the body he is addressing), he proclaimed Jesus Christ. This is the one and only foundation of any true church. He describes this in detail elsewhere –

“Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:19-22

“The foundation of the apostles and prophets” is the word pronounced throughout the Bible which speaks of Jesus Christ. The entire body of Scripture testifies to Him. Therefore, the foundation Paul laid in Corinth is that foundation he writes about to them now (as will be seen in the next verse).

He laid that foundation, “and another builds on it.” This is referring back to what he stated earlier, that he planted and Apollos watered. Each had his own role and neither is to be exalted above the other. All are working toward the same goal which is a mature church founded on, and which proclaims Jesus Christ. Because of this, care was and is required. Any departure from this truth can only lead to eventual apostasy. And so he warns them with the words, “But let each one take heed how he builds on it.”

Throughout the history of the church, people have crept in with personal agendas, unbiblical teachings and traditions, and the mixing-in of false worship. As churches are so influenced, they degrade to the point where very little is left of true worship and pursuit of Christ. When this occurs, people either stagnate and fail to grow, or the congregation simply dies off as a Christian entity (see Revelation 2:5). Those who love Jesus Christ and His word will move to start a new church body which returns to the foundation which Paul speaks of here, Jesus Christ.

Life application: Without adherence to the Bible, and a sound interpretation of it, churches will very quickly fall away from the truth. “Jesus Christ” may be on their lips, but He is far from their hearts. Be attentive to the word of God and be ready to defend it.

Lord God, there is one Foundation to the faith, Jesus Christ. I will pray to no other, I will praise no other, and I will stand on the truth of the Bible rather than the traditions of man. Give me courage to defend its truths, wisdom to properly explain them, and the ability to turn wayward souls away from misguided religion and back to the pure worship of You through Jesus my Lord. Amen.

Tuesday, 29 April 2014

For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. 1 Corinthians 3:9

In one verse, there are three clauses given by Paul in rapid succession. In each of them, “God” is emphatic. He begins with his continued use of agricultural themes found in the previous verses with “For we are God’s fellow workers.” Two possibilities come to mind:

1) We are synergistically working with God towards a common end; God does something and we cooperate with Him in producing the desired effect.

2) We aren’t working with Him as a partner, but rather we (those below Him) are fellow workers with each other. He then is the Director of the operation and those who are involved in what He has directed are working together for that desired end.

Based on what he has said about himself and Apollos in the previous verses, the second option is certainly what is intended. Paul planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase because He is the Initiator, Planner, Sustainer, and Overseer of the process.

The second option is correct, but it could be looked at in one of two ways as well:

1) That God is conducting the labor through us at His will without our choices in the matter. It would be comparable to a farmer using a tool to do his work. The tool is directed solely at the farmer’s will.

2) Our volitional choices are involved in the process.

The second option is certain. All we need to do is look at the conduct of those in Corinth, or at the conduct of any other Christian person. Peter, for example, was the Apostle to the Jews and yet at times his actions were not in line with the gospel as Paul notes in Galatians 2:11-16.

If the first view were true, we would be limited to ascribing only the appropriate actions to God. However, Peter’s failures (and those incorrect actions of the congregation in Corinth which necessitated this epistle) have been used by Paul as instruction in his letters which are now included in the Bible. As The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges notes – “He regards them as responsible beings, responsible to Him for the work they do. But the results are still God’s and God’s alone.”

Continuing on in his tri-fold thought, Paul next says that “you are God’s field.” He retains his agricultural theme to indicate that the work being conducted by him and any other instructors is being worked out in a larger context, inclusive of all believers. And this context has continued on for 2000 years. The ministers of the gospel are laboring in a field to raise good crops; a crop which belongs to God. Having said this, he suddenly moves from agricultural to architectural… “you are God’s building.”

This is not happenstance or an attempt by Paul to simply make a fine sounding repetition, but it is an intentional change to substantiate the thoughts considered above concerning his first two statements. A building doesn’t build itself. It requires an architect, materials, and a host of competent workmen who have a wide variety of skills.

In many other passages of the Bible, a builder, or the concept of building, is used in a moral sense. It indicates edification and exhortation in proper understanding and conduct. Therefore, like the parable of the sower and the seed which Jesus gives in Matthew 13:1-23, and the parable of the wheat and the tares in Matthew 13:24-30, we can know that God’s building only includes those who were selected by Him beforehand and who where properly fitted into the structure. God knew in advance all the materials that would be needed for His building and He knew what would be discarded as worthless material in advance as well.

Interestingly, in His great building, the greatest Stone of all is the one that was rejected by those who are outside attempting to build their own structure; it is Jesus. As the Bible proclaims –

“The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.
This was the Lord’s doing;
It is marvelous in our eyes.” Psalm 118:22, 23

One final side note concerning this verse. The word for “field” is the Greek word geōrgion. It has been noted that the high use of the name “George” within Christianity is a result of Paul’s use of this word here. If you know someone named George, you have now have something fun to share with him.

Life application: We are responsible to God for our actions and we will be held accountable to Him for the life we live. Work for heavenly rewards which never fade rather than earthly gain which perishes.

Lord Jesus, direct the steps I take, the things I choose, and the desires of my heart so that they will be pleasing to You, suitable for the things that edify others, and worthy of note and commendation when I someday stand in Your presence for my evaluation on the life I have lived. Keep me away from the earthly pursuits which fade away and direct me towards that which is lasting and good. Thank You Lord. Amen.

Monday, 28 April 2014

Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.1 Corinthians 3:8

In the preceding verse, Paul said “neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters…” As noted, this was not intended to mean that those who plant and those who water shouldn’t work at all, as if their work was futile, but rather their duties are pale in comparison to the supreme and overarching work of God. What the laborers do is to use what God provides so that both “he who plants and he who waters are one.” They complement each other rather than compete against one another. Therefore, to divide allegiance in the church between Paul or Apollos is misunderstanding their ultimate purpose.

They are cohesively working for the same end goal. Not only that, but one is merely building upon the other and therefore they are both filling necessary roles – not independent, but interdependent. And as noted, the tense of the verbs in verse 6 showed that they are a part of God’s overall work. Dividing loyalties as the Corinthians were doing accomplished nothing except to mar a process that is being worked, from beginning to end, by God.

A question could arise then, if these divisions are marring a process in which Paul and Apollos are engaged in, and that process is being directed by God, are the Corinthians thwarting the plan of God? The answer must be, “No.” God knows in advance all things. Therefore, the divisions had and have sound purposes. A few to be considered are –

1) The divisions in Corinth led to Paul’s letter, a part of the Bible. As it is a part of Scripture used by all who read and apply their Bible – personally and within a church, then God’s purposes were met through this schism. God provided the increase.

2) The division at Corinth, and many divisions since, have been used to turn one church into two (or more) and thus the gospel can spread more quickly. God provides the increase.

3) Such divisions may cause a church to expel those who are unsound, thus protecting the integrity of the church and causing improved spiritual growth. God provides the increase.

4) Etc.

These and many other problems which may seem to thwart God’s work, never can. In the end, the united efforts of Paul and Apollos, the supposed divisions by the Corinthians, and the continued process of spreading the gospel – both by competent people and even incompetent people has and will result in God’s plan being brought to a successful completion.

And once this wondrous church is taken home to glory, all members of it will “appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10). At that time “each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.”

Paul will receive his reward for what he did, Apollos will receive his reward for what he accomplished, and you and me… we will stand before the Lord as well. So don’t waste the time you have here, but instead whatever work your hands find to do for Him, do it with all your heart and soul. The rewards will be heavenly!

Life application: Good or bad, your actions are being used by God as He directs the building of His church. Make every effort to accomplish good and honorable results so that you will receive a good and blessed reward.

Glorious, wonderful Lord. Your church has been in the making for 2000 years. My moment here is short and will pass away quickly. So remind me that eternity’s rewards are based on this short and fleeting piece of time. Give me wisdom to contemplate this, gumption to get up and act, and the ability to persevere in this race of life to the finish line, never letting up in my determination to serve You. This is my prayer today. Amen.