I remember playing basketball when I was a kid. When we’d warm up all of us guys would mess around trying to do hook shots like Bill Lambeer, fade away jump shots like Joe Dumars or driving layups like Isaiah Thomas. We were so cool. But then the coach would come out and start our drills. He’d often tell us, “You have to learn the basics, boys, before you can do all that fancy stuff you’re trying to do.”
Paul is pulling these Corinthians back to the basics. In fact, he is showing them that it is foolish to forget the basics. We can get caught up in comparisons of – “I’m like Paul.” “I’m like Apollos.” “I’m like Peter.” Today the names aren’t applied as plainly, but we could say, “I’m like Luther.” “I’m like Wesley.” “I’m like Calvin.” (Some of the founders of the main denominations.)
There is only one person to follow. There is only one foundation of our faith. Jesus.
God uses different people for different seasons to help us to grow. So Paul says, that he, as a missionary planted the seed in Corinth, and the gospel began to grow in their lives. But Apollos came along as their pastor for a while and he watered the seed preaching the word to them, helping them to more deeply understand the scriptures and giving them the forgiveness of sins. But there is only one true faith.
Paul stresses this for two reasons: (1) He wants us to have unity in our faith. We are much more effective when we are united as the body of Christ, and unity is an expression of love. We are fellow workers. We’re on the same team. There is only one gospel. There is only one Jesus. (2) He wants us to focus on who really does the work: God does it. Planting and watering are fine work, but neither makes the seed itself, nor causes the seed to grow. God does that work.
Humbly, Paul urges us to take care how we build on the foundation of faith: Jesus Christ and him crucified. He is talking about the teachings and the good works that our faith produces. What is the result of faith in our lives? What does it motivate in us? What effect does faith have in us? Some of what we do because of our faith will be gold, silver, precious stones – things that are precious and endure the test of God’s judgment. These are things done in faith, moved by love as forgiven children of God. Some of it will be wood, hay or straw – things that were ruined by our sin which will not stand God’s judgment. Selfishness, worldly behavior, and greed come to mind here.
The things we do, matter. But do not lose focus, though, salvation is about Jesus. The good works we do are like honors that follow us into heaven. They do not save us. We won’t even boast about them! Yet they are beautiful and pleasing to God, so we desire them to glorify Him and because our work in this world helps people to know, love and follow Jesus so they can be saved, too.
The heart of the matter here is this: We belong to Jesus. We are His temple. His Spirit lives in us. Let Him be your confidence!
Paul is pulling these Corinthians back to the basics. In fact, he is showing them that it is foolish to forget the basics. We can get caught up in comparisons of – “I’m like Paul.” “I’m like Apollos.” “I’m like Peter.” Today the names aren’t applied as plainly, but we could say, “I’m like Luther.” “I’m like Wesley.” “I’m like Calvin.” (Some of the founders of the main denominations.)
There is only one person to follow. There is only one foundation of our faith. Jesus.
God uses different people for different seasons to help us to grow. So Paul says, that he, as a missionary planted the seed in Corinth, and the gospel began to grow in their lives. But Apollos came along as their pastor for a while and he watered the seed preaching the word to them, helping them to more deeply understand the scriptures and giving them the forgiveness of sins. But there is only one true faith.
Paul stresses this for two reasons: (1) He wants us to have unity in our faith. We are much more effective when we are united as the body of Christ, and unity is an expression of love. We are fellow workers. We’re on the same team. There is only one gospel. There is only one Jesus. (2) He wants us to focus on who really does the work: God does it. Planting and watering are fine work, but neither makes the seed itself, nor causes the seed to grow. God does that work.
Humbly, Paul urges us to take care how we build on the foundation of faith: Jesus Christ and him crucified. He is talking about the teachings and the good works that our faith produces. What is the result of faith in our lives? What does it motivate in us? What effect does faith have in us? Some of what we do because of our faith will be gold, silver, precious stones – things that are precious and endure the test of God’s judgment. These are things done in faith, moved by love as forgiven children of God. Some of it will be wood, hay or straw – things that were ruined by our sin which will not stand God’s judgment. Selfishness, worldly behavior, and greed come to mind here.
The things we do, matter. But do not lose focus, though, salvation is about Jesus. The good works we do are like honors that follow us into heaven. They do not save us. We won’t even boast about them! Yet they are beautiful and pleasing to God, so we desire them to glorify Him and because our work in this world helps people to know, love and follow Jesus so they can be saved, too.
The heart of the matter here is this: We belong to Jesus. We are His temple. His Spirit lives in us. Let Him be your confidence!
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