FROM THE PASTOR’S PEN
“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. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 3:10-11
Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve considered God’s awesome work as the supreme master builder! We looked at the vanity of our labor in building if the Lord isn’t in it. We meditated on the reality that it isn’t Paul, or Apollos, or me, or any other minister who truly grows and builds Christ’s church. It’s God, and God alone, who gives the increase.
Paul’s words to Corinth provide helpful and needed instruction, teaching us that as we labor to build, we must do so building on the true foundation! In verse 10a, Paul tells of the grace that was given to him by God to be a wise master builder in laying a sure foundation. The stability and strength of the church is evident as one looks at its construction from the ground up. Just as one plants and another waters, Paul laid the foundation through the preaching of the Gospel. Another built on it. Paul proclaimed Christ, and Him crucified. Jesus is the sure foundation! All other foundations will fail. That which is built on them will crumble. Yet, that which is built on Christ will stand!
As Christ is the foundation His bride must be built upon, note the caution that Paul gives, in verse 10b. Great care should be given to such work. Those who build must be careful about how they build. No one should attempt to lay any other foundation. Faithful ministers who followed after Paul continued to ensure the church was founded on Christ- and do so to this day. Matthew Henry commented wisely when he said, “Ministers of Christ should take great care that they do not build their own fancies or false reasonings on the foundation of divine revelation. What they preach should be the plain doctrine of their Master.” It isn’t about us and we must not make it about us. It’s all about Jesus and His Word. This is what we preach. This is what we teach.
We labor to build Christ’s church according to His Word, standing on Him alone. For Christ is our Rock and Redeemer (Psalm 19:14). He is the only source of salvation and eternal life. We are rooted and built up in Him (Colossians 2:7). Jesus is our head and cornerstone (Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 2:20). In Him, we are secure (Ephesians 1:13-14). He is our confidence, our refuge, our shield. Standing on Christ, we withstand the gale force winds of this world that blow against us, seeking to beat us down and destroy us (Ephesians 6:13).
Be encouraged today- Brick by brick, member by member, the body of Christ is being intricately knit together and built up on this sure foundation- the one that will never crack or fail. May we continue to be faithful to stand on Him, and never be moved. All glory and praise be to our God!