VCO, how do you view the passage from
1 Corinthians 3:9-15? What does Paul mean in verses 11-15? Thank you.
Thank you for ask, but I already suspect you Know or Assume you Know what it means.
1 Corinthians 3:9-15 (HCSB)
9 For we are God’s coworkers. You are God’s field, God’s building.
10 According to God’s grace that was given to me, I have laid a foundation as a skilled master builder, and another builds on it. But each one must be careful how he builds on it.
11 For no one can lay any other foundation than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ.
12 If anyone builds on that foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw,
13 each one’s work will become obvious, for the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work.
14 If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward.
15 If anyone’s work is burned up, it will be lost, but he will be saved; yet it will be like an escape through fire.
I verse 9, the GOD's coworkers are BORN AGAIN Christians, and GOD IS AS WORK IN THE BORN AGAIN Believes LIFE.
In verse 10 and 11 according to GOD's GRACE, He will use us for what HE intended us to be, and that foundation must be IN JESUS CHRIST. AND HE WILL GIFT US FOR THE Ministry HE WANTS US IN. We the LORD PUT IT ON MY HEART to move WEST from Near to California, and I could not shake that feeling that HE wanted me in California. I had the feeling at least 10 months prior to moving.
I was so Blessed with TRUST IN THE LORD, that I KNEW HE WOULD GIVE ME THE ABILITY to do what I could not. AND THAT TRUST NEVER LEFT ME. By the time I found out what HE WANTED ME TO DO IN California, I was already their for two years. HE wanted me to Start a Prison Ministry and HE WOULD DO IT THRU ME. You see I had NO BIBLE COLLEGE AT ALL, and HE Chose me to start a Prison Ministry in a brand New PRISON, and it was the highest Level of Security in any Prison in California. AND I HAD ABSOLUTE CONFIDENCE that HE WOULD GIFT ME TO DO WHAT I COULD NOT. YES, HE DID, that very thing QUITE effectively, it was not me, but CHRIST IN ME DID IT ALL. I came to the conclusion, the MORE I TRUSTED HIM, the more HE COULD Empower me to do what I could Not Do.
So once THE LORD Puts it on your heart, what HE wants you to do, don't say "I can't do that." In stead go into your prayer closet, and say, "LORD you are going to have to help me with this one, and I WILL TRUST YOU." You will have a Blessed time as HE DOES IT THRU YOU.
In verse 12-13 HE is talking about rewards for a job well done,
out of AGAPE LOVE. GOLD, SILVER, COSTLY STONES, are Rewards for what you did for the LORD and the brethren OUT OF PURE AGAPE LOVE. Deeds for the WRONG MOTIVE, (such as looking good for your friends), it is on Wood, Hay, and Straw, and will be BURNED UP.
Matthew 7:22 (HCSB)
22
On that day many will say to Me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in Your name, drive out demons in Your name, and do many miracles in Your name?’
Matthew 7:23 (HCSB)
23
Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you! Depart from Me, you lawbreakers!’
The BIGGEST mistake that they made in the above scriptures, IS THEY TRIED TO SERVE THE LORD OUT OF THEIR OWN STRENGTH, and TOOK THE CREDIT and Glory, instead of giving it all TO HIM. That is exactly like the WORKS Righteousness bunch we have seen around here.
In verses 14 and 15, that is how the Motive for our Deeds will be tested to see if any are worthy reward, when HE comes. Like I said, ONLY DEEDS DONE OUT OF A SINCE AGAPE LOVE FOR HIM AND THE BRETHREN, is worthy of ANY REWARD, and SALVATION IS NEVER A REWARDS, BECAUSE IT IS A FREE GIFT. So the IMPERISHABLE Laurel Wreath CROWN presented to the winners, of the with original Olympic Games, is the rewards we will be presented, for the MOTIVE of sincere LOVE, when HE COMES. The only PURE MOTIVE there is.
Here is a Parallel VERSE:
1 Corinthians 9:23-27 (HCSB)
23 Now I do all this because of the gospel, so I may become a partner in its benefits.
24 Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize.
25 Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. However,
they do it to receive a crown that will fade away, but
we a crown that will never fade away.
26 Therefore I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air.
27 Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
They do it for a crown that fades away.
We do it for a Crown that will NEVER fade away.
REMEMBER, THE ONLY PURE MOTIVE IS SINCERE AGAPE LOVE.