‭Note for 2024/05/05 - 1 Corinthians 3:1-23 KJV‬ - Secure Foundation

 

‭1 Corinthians 3:1-23 KJV‬

[1] And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. [2] I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. [3] For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? [4] For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? [5] Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? [6] I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. [7] So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. [8] Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. [9] For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. [10] According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. [11] For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. [12] Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; [13] every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. [14] If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. [15] If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. [16] Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? [17] If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. [18] Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. [19] For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. [20] And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. [21] Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are your's; [22] whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are your's; [23] and ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.

https://bible.com/bible/1/1co.3.1-23.KJV

Note for 2024/05/05

Are you in Christ at your foundation? Or, is religion just one of the bricks laid among many other thoughts and concepts?

Today, we have so much entertainment and information available. Each one with a semi-decent mobile phone can post his thoughts and theories on the internet. A virtual world full of the opinions of real people. But what of the foundation of those ideas, the very platform on which it is built upon? As a man thinks, so is he; so then, what are the thoughts that are at the center of you? What is it that everything else is measured against?

You see, for some, going to church is something they do. It may even have become something of a routine. Among other reasons, this is one reason I prefer to keep my silent time in the early morning. For as I wake, I am tested again and again, that my day begins in Christ. I must sacrifice something that I love, even something that I need, to stand up for GOD, before I am needed by any others. But, friends, this is me, it doesn't mean that anyone else must follow what I do. But indeed, as Paul speaks of here, all must build upon that foundation which is Christ. This is the way in which I was called, in the early morning. This is what I know. Yet, does it then not place down a foundation for the day, and is all that comes on this day then not built upon this message I received today? So too is it then shared with you as I have received. So is the message I received from Him that loves me, shared with those He loves too.

It makes me think of when Christ spoke of building your house upon the rock that it may remain standing, and that those that build upon the sand, their houses will be destroyed when the flood comes. And as I keep the watch, I see the flooding in the desert places. Then I wonder, "Lord, what about those who only have sand to build on?" Must they then not dig down to the bedrock? 

For us, who have a foundation in Jesus Christ, that foundational start might be something like this... In the beginning GOD created the Heavens and the Earth; and... In the beginning there was the Word, and the Word was with GOD, and the Word was GOD. Maybe then this... And the Word became flesh and dwelled among men. Do you understand now? What is the beginning of you, where did you come from? What is the start of your existence, but also, what is the start of your emotion and thought? For if we measure all we say and do against the love of GOD for us, then our response can only be one in gratitude and praise.

Friends, I used to think that all men are the same, but that soon changed. See, for many their foundational thought patterns are based on what they may gain on that day. When called for help, they will think and some even say, "I don't have time, it will affect my profits for this day." What is it then that you wish to profit from? Is it money as so many want, or is it just in knowledge, whatever that knowledge may be. The Word of GOD says that we must test all things and keep what is good. But what is good? Is that based on our opinion or is it something we may have no concept of yet? If you are in Christ, how can you get that wrong? Is Christ Jesus not the manifestation of GOD'S love for mankind?

If you read with care, you will see Who Jesus Christ honored. You will read of the Apostles speak of GOD The Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. And here at the end of the chapter does Paul not do the same again? But I have seen and heard for myself how many honors Jesus Christ, but forget the Father from which He came. And what of the Holy Spirit that is GOD with us? Was He not sent of the Father in the Name of Jesus Christ? If then in Christ, and Christ in The Father are we then not in GOD too and GOD in us? Who then is the Temple of GOD? What does Paul write here to those in Corinth? Then, I ask you, who pollutes the sanctuary of GOD? How can I forget when Christ turned to Peter and said, "Get behind me Satan?" Peter wanted Jesus not to go to Jerusalem to die for us. But that was the path for the Messiah to walk on. That was God's will. And so too we pray for GOD'S will to be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. For His Kingdom to come, where GOD also rules in us.

Paul speaks of milk for those who are still carnally minded as babes in Christ. But there is meat for those who have matured.

Friends, I was not called to speak to those who are unbelievers, though I do when I meet them. No. I was called to write here to you, who are searching for GOD and for GOD'S will in things. I speak to believers, who may still be on milk, though there are those among you that cannot be sustained by milk alone. So I speak to those who already have Christ at the foundation and I ask, what have you built upon that? Will it stand tests, trials and tribulations? When a storm watch goes out, do you not secure your house? Well? Here is your storm watch warning. A flood of unrighteousness is coming. Yes, you have seen some of it, but now it is going to flood the world. Secure yourself in Jesus Christ, make sure there is nothing left to chance. Anoint your buildings, mark that which must be spared with the signal for passover. Are we not all saved by the Blood of the Lamb of GOD?

There is so much more, but time is short. So as I trust in GOD by way of Jesus Christ for my Salvation, I must trust in Him too for yours. For meat, you do well to read the entire Word of GOD and receive it by the Holy Spirit. That will build towards the peace we may have in the Lord, when we are assured of all His Promises to Those He loves and those who love Him.

Prepare then, by reading God's Word and calling upon His Name. Then you will recognize His voice when He speaks. 

Shalom.

Verse of the Day

(YouVersion)

‭1 Peter 5:7 KJV‬

[7] casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 

https://bible.com/bible/1/1pe.5.7.KJV

Expanded for Context

‭1 Peter 5:1-11 KJV‬

[1] The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: [2] feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; [3] neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. [4] And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. [5] Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. [6] Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: [7] casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. [8] Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: [9] whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. [10] But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. [11] To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

https://bible.com/bible/1/1pe.5.1-11.KJV

Do you see now, friends? If you cast all your care upon Him, then He has become your foundation. Then all that you built up, the full weight of it rests on Jesus Christ. 

Read here how Peter expands on the functioning of the church, even as one brick lays against another to secure the entire structure. If you then are just one brick in this greater structure, alone, you are to the side and not plastered in yet. Only when the bricks come together does it secure the building to become a fortified place of shelter. If not, then you remain on the heap of the unused building material. And of course, this is to be understood Spiritually, for this building is a Spiritual building and not like the brick and mortar buildings of this world. 

The foundation is Jesus Christ, and all that is built upon Him, are separated from this world unto Him according to the Will of GOD, our Father. Lifted up and securely placed in by the Will of GOD for the purpose of GOD.

Who then is built up on Christ is in Christ, part of the Body of Jesus Christ The Savior of Mankind. And, secured in Christ the house will remain standing regardless of what comes against it.

It is my sincere hope that this message in metaphor form serves well to bring a greater understanding. In Christ you are duly secure for eternal life.He is the foundation that keeps all of us securely in place.

‭1 Peter 5:14 KJV‬

[14] Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

https://bible.com/bible/1/1pe.5.14.KJV