“Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.” 1 Corinthians 3:12-13 ESV
Reflection: what materials are you building your spiritual temple with?
For anyone that has ever built a house, you realize that there are many codes for the various stages of construction the builder has to pay attention to, and ensure that his workers follow. And for some of the critical steps in the construction such as framing, electrical, etc., a building inspector will show up to review the work done. Has all the codes been followed, or are there violations? The builder is responsible for redoing anything that violates the codes before the inspector will approve the building. Although this can delay the progress of building, the codes and inspections are for the protection of the people that will occupy the house. And, in the end, no one can occupy the house before all inspections have been approved.
1 Corinthians chapter 3 is pretty much dedicated to a discussion of building our spiritual temples. And Paul talks about the foundation, the materials used for building, and building codes so that the structure will stand. This might seem a bit strange, if you have not thought much about it. But, if you have received Christ, and believe in His name, you are a new creation, born again by God. And, to guide you, God has also given you (lent you) His Spirit. Paul says to the church members in Corinth, and therefore to all believers, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16 ESV. Think of it this way, wherever you go, whatever you are doing, whatever you are looking at, listening to, or speaking about, God’s Spirit is right there with you. You are not alone.
So we are spiritual temples for God’s Spirit. A thought that is impossible to fully comprehend. And Paul tells the Corinthians that, when he came to them and first told them about the gospel of Christ, he specifically avoided laying that foundation on any of his own works, because he knew that it would not meet code. It would eventually crumble. “According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 3:10-11 ESV. If you recall from chapter 2, he was very clear that he did not make the case for Christ on any human wisdom.
So the Corinthians received the foundation from Paul, which was only Jesus Christ. Now what about the walls, the roof, etc? Remember, this spiritual temple is for God’s Spirit to dwell. Did you notice that the building proceeds from the foundation, as Paul mentioned “someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it” 1 Corinthians 3:10b ESV. Who is that? Who is building on our temples? If you think about it, we surround ourselves daily with people, with content which form us. Which build us up. It might be a pastor at church. Or some social media voice we like to listen to. Or music we listen to. Or what we put our time and energy into. Are we basing our building structures on God’s word, or on other things? There is a day coming, when the quality of the structure will be revealed.
“Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.” 1 Corinthians 3:12-13 ESV. This is very serious, brothers and sisters, because there will not be time to rebuild anything at that time, at the Day of the Lord. In His presence, only foundations and structures constructed by God will stand. No work by man, or man’s wisdom. Remember, we are God’s temples. “If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.” 1 Corinthians 3:17 ESV.
So, perhaps it is a good idea to call for a building inspection today, for each of us. To have the Lord check in, and put a red sticker on what does not pass code. So that we can tear that down and let Him build us up.