The Foundation of God
In 1 Corinthians 3:11-17, the apostle Paul writes about the importance of building on the foundation of God. In this passage, Paul emphasizes the need for believers to build on the foundation of Jesus Christ, and to be cautious of the materials they use in building their spiritual lives.
The Foundation of Jesus Christ
"For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 3:11)
Paul emphasizes that Jesus Christ is the only foundation on which believers can build their spiritual lives. This foundation is the only one that is acceptable to God, and any other foundation is unacceptable. This is a reminder that our salvation and spiritual growth are rooted in Jesus Christ alone.
The Quality of Materials
"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." (1 Corinthians 3:12-13)
Paul uses the analogy of building materials to describe the quality of our spiritual works. Gold, silver, and precious stones represent spiritual works that are of high quality, while wood, hay, and straw represent works that are of poor quality. The Day of Judgment will reveal the quality of our works, and fire will test their durability.
The Consequences of Poor Quality
"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." (1 Corinthians 3:14-15)
The consequences of building with poor materials are severe. If our spiritual works are of poor quality, they will be burned up in the fire of judgment, and we will suffer loss. However, even in this case, believers will be saved, but it will be a narrow escape, "as through fire."
The Temple of God
"Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16)
Paul reminds the Corinthians that they are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in them. This is a reminder of the importance of building on the foundation of Jesus Christ, and of using high-quality materials in our spiritual lives.
The Consequences of Destroying God's Temple
"If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, which temple you are." (1 Corinthians 3:17)
The consequences of destroying God's temple are severe. If we destroy our spiritual lives by building with poor materials, God will destroy us. This is a sobering reminder of the importance of building on the foundation of Jesus Christ, and of using high-quality materials in our spiritual lives.
