July 17, 2024
1 Corinthians 3
Isn’t it interesting how kids today want to be adults; to be on their own, making adult decisions, to driving, to making an income, and all the freedoms that come with being grown-up. Yet when that time comes many are poorly prepared. They may be of age, but they still need parenting. Christian growth is similar because we live in worldly surroundings, not “spiritual” surroundings. I have “spiritual” in quotations because we do live in both realms, the spiritual world is harder to see but with Christian maturity it becomes more noticeable. We become comfortable with what we are familiar with and live as natural humans and not spiritual humans. Now, to be certain we understand, spiritual humans are not people who have some sort of cultic beliefs that go against Biblical scripture, that’s demonic. Spiritual people have the mind of Christ (chapter 2:16) and faithfully believe that Jesus is the Christ, purchased us on the cross, was buried and was raised on the third day. In effect, spiritual people become spiritual by faithfully believing that last statement as their foundation in which to continue building their faith on.
Where does this foundation start? Genesis 3:15, “I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike His heel.” An internet search has come up with 365 prophetic verses about the coming Messiah, which was Jesus, and 100 prophetic verses about the faithful in that coming Messiah in the Old Testament. In building on a foundation, we do not add to the foundation. The foundation is strong and can never break or be broken. But, by the Spirit, we build our faith to be witnesses of Jesus. Have you ever thought, why do I do the things that I do? Is it because I must do these things? Maybe, but that would be of a slave mentality with very little or no joy. Or do I do the things I do because I want to do them? It brings me joy. May I suggest that a believer in Jesus will learn to build on His foundation in doing things for the kingdom, for Jesus’ sake, which brings joy because it is something they enjoy doing. They have learned that, when tested by persecution, their beliefs and convictions will carry them through. A good illustration of this is Paul and those early Christians who were martyred for their beliefs in Christ. A more recent example was Dietrich Bonhoeffer who held Biblical scriptures of Jesus and His salvation to Dietrich as he was in Hitler’s prison and would eventually be hung.
Our foundation must begin with Jesus and His atoning work on the cross. Our building on this foundation must be based on the scriptural understanding and the growth that comes with it. Our unity in Christ has solidified His Church and we “are servants through whom “others” (my words) will believe, and each has the role the Lord has given.” (verse 5)
We briefly discussed our teaching and preaching to others last week. That we should rely on Scripture and the Holy Spirit to lead us as we do those things. And not to think too highly of ourselves because we did not come up with the word structures being spoken but were given to us by the Spirit. Now it become obvious that we should remain humble and obedient, “For the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will experience loss, but he himself will be saved- but only as through fire.” Test your heart, men. Do not be misled by a “good sermon” that you give. Fluffy and elegant words are not for your uplifting but for redemption of those hearing; that Christ is honored by the words given to you through the Spirit of God.
A few weeks ago, I was in a customer’s home who is a therapist. He was walking me around his home showing me all the artwork his wife had done or was working on, his wife died last November. As we talked about her legacy as a painter the discussion of Jesus came up. He told me his career started out in the Catholic Church as a family counselor. He told me his training and the people he had read and been associated with and then he began to talk about his beliefs. I think he read too many therapist books because he did not believe in the same God as the Bible, at least from what I could understand of him. God says, “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God”, verse 19. This may sound silly, but I am grateful that this is true. I am one of those who is foolish, but I know that I am. The scriptures also say, “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God- who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly- and it will be given to him.” James 1:5. The context of James’ statement is that all of us lack wisdom, so don’t think you are immune to human wisdom (godly foolishness).
Chapter 2 ends with this statement, “But we have the mind of Christ.” And chapter 3 ends with this statement, “and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.” So, if this is a true statement for you, meaning you have been saved and are being saved, then the explanation of worldly wisdom being foolishness to God is more understandable to you. We have the ability to understand spiritual things because we have the mind of Christ. This also means that those who do not have the mind of Christ will not understand us, 1 Corinthians 2:14.
Prayer:
Father, forgive us of our sin. Help us to build our faith continually on the foundation You have laid and prepared for us. Help us to understand that nothing we have can be given to You to strengthen Your foundation. We come to you with nothing for Your salvation. We pray for Robert in his witnessing to his friend, Martin. Bring him to salvation.
Amen
-David Mroz
