Scripture:
1 Cor. 3
Vs 6 “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.”
Vs. 7 “So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.”
Vs. 8 “He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor.”
Vs. 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.”
Vs. 11 “For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
Observation:
The church is divided. People are claiming allegiance to some people and taking credit from some to make themselves look better than others.
Paul is having none of it!
Claiming allegiance to a person is ridiculous! Because Paul even states “neither he nor Apollos are anything!”
What’s more is, being divided as fellow Christians is ridiculous! “He who plants and he who waters are one.”
As Christians, our value comes from the same source, namely “according to the grace of God”.
What’s more is, our efforts build upon the same foundation, namely “that which is Jesus Christ”.
Application:
So, if I’m “nothing” apart from the grace of God, and the foundations have already been put in place “that which is Jesus Christ”, then what exactly is my role and responsibility?
It is to “take care how I build” on the foundation of Christ.
I must have a faithfulness “according to my labor”.
My role is faithfulness in labor.
God’s role is fruitfulness in growth.
It seems I want these roles too often reversed.
I want to be fruitful in my own endeavors.
I want God to be faithful to my endeavors.
Are my endeavors, labors, efforts built and dedicated on a foundation of Jesus? If not, they are worthless and will be gone.
Only what is built upon Christ lasts forever.
And I must “take care” in this! How amazing is it, truly, that I have the privilege of building the same temple, that is us now, that Paul and Apollos did?!
I am a fellow laborer. Of course, I should “take care”!
This should give fresh meaning and purpose to every day.
I will “receive wages according to my labor” that have eternal worth and consequence.
Do I understand this privilege?
Do I understand this responsibility? To continue the building upon the foundation of Jesus Christ!
Prayer:
Thank you again, Father.
Thank you for you grace in enabling me.
In your grace continue to give me faithfulness to build your church.
I pray for your divine fruitfulness and growth.
I pray to see others and opportunities to share your love and your truth.
In Jesus name, Amen.