Kicking things off now at verse 10 of 1Corinthinas 3 with our look at what my study Bibles call "the Division of the Church." Lets just see if it remains so; when looked at from GOD's perspective of our renewed mindset.
1Corinthians 3:10-15 "According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire." (KJV)
1Corinthians 3:10-15 "According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 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." (ESV)
1Corinthians 3:10-15 "His Grace is the only reference for my skill; his gift qualifies me (I did not earn my certificate as Master Builder at a university as a reward to my excellence!). The faith foundation that I have laid in your lives gives evidence to that. So let the next person take extra caution to build consistent with what grace communicates. (Grace alone defines and inspires NT ministry.) Jesus Christ is the only foundation; nothing that anyone else can possibly teach you can replace him. Imagine the contrast in building materials, one builds with gold, silver and precious stones, while another uses wood, hay and stubble. (By comparison, the teaching of the cross and its glorious effect in the believer's life is like building with gold, silver, and precious stones, whereas the wisdom of this world system based upon religious good works of self effort and not trusting faith is like building with wood, hay, and stubble which is fuel for fire!) Everyone's work shall be tested in the scrutiny of real life; it shall be made apparent as in broad daylight just as gold is tested in fire; what you live will either burn like stubble or shine like gold. (The revelation of humanity's co-crucifixion and co-resurrection with Christ is the gold of this gospel!) If what you teach is based on the revelation of the success of the cross it will certainly be confirmed in the heat of contradiction. Obviously to witness the fruit of one's labor go up in smoke would be devastating, even though you escape with your own life." (The Mirror)
With the next post we shall continue with this look of teaching the revelation of the Cross and our being one in Christ, The LORD willing. Until them may the LORD increase His Life and Light within you.
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