February 13, 2014
WHAT ARE YOU BUILDING WITH?
1 Corinthians 3:10-15
Kelly Ryan
Central Truth
As we are reminded in this passage, the only foundation that our life should be built on is Christ. And we have that foundation only by His grace (praise the Lord!). But further, as believers who call Christ their foundation, there is an instruction to build wisely.
Key Verse | 1 Corinthians 3:10
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. (1 Corinthians 3:10)
1 Corinthians 3:10-15
10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled 1 3:10 Or wise master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 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. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
Dive Deeper | 1 Corinthians 3:10-15
Just as 1 Corinthians 3:10 describes God's grace towards us, Ephesians 2:8 (NASB) also explains, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God." As I think about this gift of salvation in the context of building, I am reminded that it is not a free pass to just sit still. James 2:17 (TLB) says, "So you see, it isn't enough just to have faith. You must also do good to prove that you have it. Faith that doesn't show itself by good works is no faith at all -- it is dead and useless." Wait, if we are saved by faith, the mention of works sounds like a contradiction, does it not? Hang with me here.
In my early days as a believer, I understood what Christ did for me in terms of salvation, but did not relate that to how Christ wanted to change my life on earth. Unfortunately, that looked like building unwisely on top of my "foundation." I made decisions based on my wants instead of God's will, and that led to consequences similar to building with straw. Consequently, the "works" that my life was reflecting did not reflect Christ.
By trying to find fulfillment in anything besides Christ, we will always feel empty. Maybe not at first, but just as building with straw, that temporary satisfaction is fleeting. As I walk closer with Him, I aim to surrender my will. This is a daily task. Often, it takes Him showing me through hurts what my idols are and how I am really building.
God gives us His Word, the church, fellowship with other believers, and His Spirit as tools to build in a way that will not only benefit us in the short term, but also have an eternal impact. In addition, just as we are called to build well on our own foundation, we are called to disciple others and live out our faith in community. God wants us to continue our spiritual building with truth that comes from His Word and close communion with Him.
Discussion Questions
1. In your own life, how have you tried to tried to build in ways that were not consistent with God's way?
2. Is there a time you have faced a consequence, and, in hindsight, realized you were building with straw?
3. Do the works in your life reflect Christ as your foundation?
4. What are some ways you can build into others?