A Sure Foundation

PASSAGE FOR THE DAY:
By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.

16 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.

18 Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”; 20 and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” 21 So then, no more boasting about human leaders! All things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, 23 and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God. (1 Corinthians 3:10-23, NIV)


REFLECTIONS:
In today's passage, the Apostle Paul shifts his metaphor from planting to building. Though we know Paul to be a professional tent maker, he spent much of his time consumed with building foundations. As he notes: "I laid a foundation as a wise builder" (verse 10). He goes on to state that while he laid the foundation, others have now taken up the work of building on it. Paul’s work of surveying, staking, and excavating in the Corinthian community has led to the establishment of a solid foundation in Jesus Christ. 

Paul, the wise master builder of the faith community, established numerous churches in the Greco-Roman world. In today’s passage, he reminds the believers not only that they have a sure foundation but that they themselves are special buildings: temples, dwelling places of God’s Spirit. "Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?... God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple" (verses 16-17).

However, some believers in Corinth want to acclaim particular individuals as their leaders. Perhaps they wish to name the churches in their honor. Paul reminds the divided believers that though many planted and watered, only God gave the increase. Despite the many master builders, there is only one foundation: Jesus Christ. 

In a world of shifting sands, Christians need a sure foundation. The apostle Paul reminds us, "Do not deceive yourselves… the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight" (verses 18-19). We see many builders today, but the sure foundation of Christ does not change. This serves as a holy reminder that there is but One who loves unconditionally, forgives without penalty, and provides without priming. For we "belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God" (verse 23).


PRAYER:
Dear God, forgive our preference for worldly wisdom, our pompous pride, our self-reliance. Bring us back to your unshakable foundation. By your grace, strengthen us to live by the Spirit and to rest in Christ alone. Amen.