Solid Food

1 Cor. 3:16-17

Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.

 

Paul begins 1 Cor. 3 with a stern rebuke saying that the body of believers at Corinth were still people of the flesh, infants in Christ. How sad! [No doubt this rebuke is for all Christians. Am I an infant in Christ desiring only milk, or am I a spiritual person who desires the solid food of the word? ] This group of believers were ripped apart with jealousy and strife over who to follow. Paul or Apollos? Paul taught them that no matter what you do, whether you plant the seed or water the seed, only God gives the increase. All believers are God's fellow workers. Each one is God's field, God's building. It is nothing of human choice or strength.

 

Paul ministered to all followers according to the grace of God. He laid the foundation of Jesus Christ [A foundation that is not an option!]. It is either Christ or nothing! From the foundation of Christ, each person then builds. But we must take care how we build: gold, silver, precious stones, or hay, wood, and stubble. The day will disclose it all revealing it by fire. Obviously, only the gold, silver, and precious stones will endure. All the rest will be gone. If what the believer has built survives,  he will have a reward. If not, the believer will suffer loss even though he will be saved. How tragic is this! A believer could be saved and have lived his or her life in the flesh without relying on the grace of God at all.

 

It reminds me of Moses when he didn't uphold God as holy before the Israelite nation[ hitting the rock twice]. He was not justified in any way, shape, or form in his disobedience even though the Israelites were rebellious, still-necked, and grumblers. Moses could only look at the promised land, but not go into the promised land. I am sure he was suffering a huge loss!

 

Believers must always keep in mind that they are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells within them. Since God's temple is holy, all believers must live accordingly. This is the point! Believers must live who they really are! They are no longer of the world, but of Christ. Their lifestyle must reflect this! We are Christ's, and Christ is God's. 

 

 

Father,

I so want to walk in Your way, to build upon Christ, and to eat the solid food of Your word. Continue to grow me and teach me. Help my mind so that I retain Your word.

In Jesus name,

Amen