Current topic: Introduction to Salt of the Earth – a study worth reading.
Good morning.
We are looking at 1 Corinthians 3, which you’ll find at this link: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%203&version=NIV1984. Please read it.
In verses 9-15 Paul talks about building into people’s lives. He refers to the apostles as the Lord’s fellow workers and to the people they served as the building. The only difference between the apostles and the people he was writing to, was that the apostles had walked with the Word. They therefore had something to build with; material they could build into someone else’s life.
Have you walked with the Word? Do you have some knowledge of the Word of God and a relationship with Jesus and experienced His presence and working in your life? That’s all the disciples had. They saw what Jesus did, heard what He taught them and was empowered by the infilling with the Holy Spirit. This qualified them as builders. They didn’t need extensive theological knowledge and neither do we. We only need to know the Bible well, so the Holy Spirit could use it as material to build into others’ lives through us. Some practical training such as evangelism techniques, how to serve people with deliverance from oppression of various kinds, and principles of prayer and spiritual warfare will make us experts in those areas. I would advise you to look into those kinds of information. In this blog the Holy Spirit gives a lot of training that can be helpful.
Paul said in verse 10 that the foundation laid is Jesus Christ. The first step in building into someone’s life is sharing the good news of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for our salvation. Unless someone is born again it’s pointless to try and explain Biblical truths to them. Their spirit is dead and needs to be made alive by Jesus living inside them by His Holy Spirit, which happens at rebirth. Have a look at our evangelism blog where you’ll learn more about laying the foundation: http://fishfojes.blogspot.co.uk/.
In verses 10 and 12 Paul indicated that we need to build into one another’s lives on the foundation of Jesus Christ. This is why Ephesians 4:10-16 encourages us to equip the saints for the work of the ministry and in 1 Corinthians 14:26: “When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.” We are there for one another, and as our house is built by those better equipped than us, we get equipped to build at the houses of those less equipped than us.
Remember if you are filled with the Holy Spirit you are able; “for God did not give us a Spirit of timidity, but a Spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline,” (2 Timothy 1:7). It’s up to us what kind of reward we’ll get one day, for 1 Corinthians 3:13 says our “work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.” Is it gold- or straw quality? If our work doesn’t pass the test of fire, we will not be rewarded (see V14, 15).
What is our attitude towards the people the Lord loves? Are we concerned about one another’s spiritual growth, spiritual battles and obedience to the Lord? If the Holy Spirit tells you to encourage or rebuke another, do you obey? When my children did their chores I always told them: ‘Do not just do your duty to get it done – do it right and to the best of your ability.’
What would The Day bring to light about your work for the Lord?
Lord, I’m sorry if I haven’t obeyed and built well until now. Please help me do a good job in future.
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