Michael continues: We are all constructing a building of our lives according to 1 Corinthians 3:10-11 … according to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master-builder, I have laid the foundation, and another builds thereon. But let every man take heed how he builds thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Upon which foundation are you building your life? 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 answer this question from God’s perspective: “Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” The question is, are you building the temple of your life as God’s dwelling place or are you building it to your own vain glory?
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 concludes: “Don’t you know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him (the vain defiling work) shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.” What is worthy of praise? What are the worthy bricks we’re building upon the firm foundation? God has provided worthy bricks for constructing His building. These bricks include the Word of God, the Holy Spirit, salvation, Christ’s crucifixion (His atoning death in our stead), His resurrection to life, and eternal life unto Christ.
According to verse 14, whatever is not built for Jesus will burn. If it’s built to our own glory, it will burn up and turn to ashes. Ashes to ashes and dust to dust … it will become dust in the wind. It will amount to nothing. However, if done to God’s glory through the power of Christ in us, it will last into eternity. According to Isaiah 28:16, Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believes shall not make haste. Judgment, also will I lay to the line and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.
Jesus Christ himself is the chief cornerstone. He is not only the stone that bears the weight as the primary structural support for the building, He is also the point of reference that squares the building according to God’s divine plumb line. Jesus Christ is the datum point of reference upon which the whole building is measured and aligned. May our prayer be: “Lord, bring to bear thy divine plumb line upon my life that we may live to the praise of the glory of thy grace! That my life may be aligned according to the heart of Christ in me and that my life may be prayer and praise unto you, a sweet smelling savor, fragrant unto you, an offering acceptable unto you that endures into eternity to your praise and honor and glory, through the power the Holy Spirit of Christ! Amen and Amen!
Your brother in Christ, Michael
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