1 Corinthians 3:11 - A Solid Foundation Like No Other.
1 Corinthians 3:11 (NLT) For no one can lay
any foundation other than the one we already
have - Jesus Christ.
COMMENTARY PEARL
If you have a home, you have to do
repairs periodically. Im not allowed to repair
anything in my home, because Im the opposite of
Mr. Fix It. Im Mr. Make It Worse. So, if
something has broken and I go to the hardware store,
it will end up worse than it was to start
with.
Repairs are necessary for a home, because
things happen. Maybe it needs new paint, you have
to reroof, or your air conditioning unit breaks
down. Youre usually in the process of
repairing, refurbishing, and sometimes redecorating a
home. Youre in the process of constantly
maintaining it.
In 1 Corinthians the apostle Paul wrote,
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 (3:10 NKJV).
The word that Paul used for build
speaks of a continuous action. The idea is that we
should constantly build. Paul also said, For we
are Gods fellow workers; you are Gods
field, you are Gods building For no other
foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid,
which is Jesus Christ (3:9, 11 NKJV).
This is the foundation you should build
your marriage on. This is the foundation you
should build your career and your ministry on. In
fact, this is the foundation you should build
everything on.
God gives us the blueprint, which is the
Word of God. He gives us a foundation, which is a
relationship with Him. He also gives us the resources to
build with, which is the power of the Holy Spirit
in our lives.
We build our lives on the foundation of
Jesus Christ, but we also want to keep building
ourselves up spiritually. [Every Day with Jesus by
Greg Laurie]
COMMENTARY
Choosing the Right Building Material
Believers build their lives on the Rock
of Ages: Jesus Christ. Every motive, every
deed, and every word is material for our spiritual
house. The apostle Paul warned followers to
construct with care because on the day of judgment,
fire will test the quality of each persons
work. This refers not to a literal fire but to the
purifying presence of Jesus Christ.
When I stand in the Saviors perfectly
holy and just presence, all the wood, hay, and
stubble in my life will disappear. Good things done
with wrong motives will vanish along with secret
sins and bad attitudes. Only what has been done
and said in Jesus name remains. And the
moment the chaff is gone, we will see that God is
right - those things didnt fit the life of His
child.
On hearing this explanation, someone
usually says, All that matters is that I get into
heaven. But that attitude is shortsighted because
the judgment of believers is about rewards. In
the parable of the unrighteous steward, Jesus
explained the basic concept to His disciples: He
who is faithful in a very little thing is
faithful also in much (Luke 16:10). Our time on
earth is the beginning of an eternity serving and
rejoicing in the Lord. God will reward us with
heavenly responsibility according to our faithfulness
here.
Wise people plan for the future (Prov.
27:12). I want to receive as much of Gods
goodness as He offers, so I am determined to build
with top-quality, enduring materials. The
privilege of serving is only the beginning of the
rewards. In heaven, Gods generosity will be even
more abundantly unleashed. [In Touch Daily
Devotional by Charles Stanley at www.intouch.org]
Finishing Well
One of the great doctrines of
Christianity is our belief in a heavenly home.
Ultimately, we shall spend eternity with God in the
place He has prepared for us. And part of that
exciting anticipation is His promise to reward His
servants for a job well done.
Most rewards are received in heaven, not
on earth. God reserves special honor for that
day when "each man's work will become evident"
and "he shall receive a reward" (1 Cor.
3:13"14).
All rewards are based on quality, not
quantity. God's eye is always on motive.
No reward that is postponed will be
forgotten. When that day in eternity dawns, no act of
serving others - be it well-known or unknown to
others - will be forgotten.
Someone once counted all the promises in
the Bible and came up with an amazing figure of
almost 7500. Among that large number are some
specific promises servants can claim today.
When we did what was right, with the
right motive, but received no credit, no
acknowledgment, not even a "thank you" we have God's
promise that "we shall reap."
When any servant has served and given and
sacrificed and then willingly stepped aside for God to
receive the glory, our heavenly Father promises he
will receive back.
And then there are the eternal rewards.
Some of them are referred to as "crowns" that are
being set aside for God's servants. The Bible
speaks of at least five crowns:
The imperishable crown (1 Cor.
9:24"27), awarded to those believers who consistently
bring the flesh under the Holy Spirit's control.
The crown of exultation (Phil. 4:1; 1
Thess. 2:19"20), distributed to those servants
who are faithful to declare the gospel.
The crown of righteousness (2 Tim.
4:7"8), awarded to those who live each day with
eternity's values in view.
The crown of life (James 1:12),
promised to those who endure trials, loving the
Savior all the way.
The crown of glory (1 Pet. 5:1"4),
promised to those who faithfully "shepherd the
flock."
What a scene! All God's servants before
His throne. They are bowing in worship, having
cast all crowns before their Lord in adoration
and praise, ascribing worth and honor to the
only One deserving of praise - the Lord God!
God alone is perfectly and consistently
just. We forget; God remembers. We see an action;
God sees a motive. This qualifies Him as the
best recordkeeper and judge.
We see an action; God sees a motive. This
qualifies Him as the best recordkeeper and judge.
[Chuck Swindoll www.insight.org.]
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE
1 Corinthians 3:11 - A Solid Foundation Like
No Other.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200510-1511.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David
DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides:
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio (currently live):
https://bible.awr.org/the-warning/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug
Batchelor:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
