“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. 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. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.” 1 Corinthians 3:10-15
The attitude/mindset of the believer who builds on the one foundation of Christ with gold, silver and costly stones, says:
1. I affirm that the way of the Lord is good.
“But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory.” 1 Corinthians 2:7
“The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.” Proverbs 14:11
“I call piety that reverence joined with love of God which the knowledge of his benefits induces. For until men recognize they owe everything to God, that they are nourished by his Fatherly care, that he is the Author of their every good, that they should seek nothing beyond him-they will never yield willing service.” John Calvin, The Institutes of Christian Religion, I-2-1
2. I grow in maturity as I continually rejoice in the cross-work of Christ and apply that reality to all of life.
3. I realize that life is brief and the Day is coming (v.13).
4. I know that “Only God gives the growth” (v.7)...”No one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is (only) Jesus Christ” (v.11).
5. I am very careful regarding how one builds on this foundation. (1 Corinthians 6:19, Romans 14:7-9)
“Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.” Luke 8:18
“Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.” Hebrews 3:12
“Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” 1 Corinthians 10:12
6. There is a glorious reward for faithfulness (v.14, Revelation 14:13)
The loss suffered is not the loss of salvation, but the loss of a reward.
“As Christ would have us to be certainly persuaded that there shall be a day of judgment, both to deter all men from sin, and for the greater consolation of the godly in their adversity: so will he have that day unknown to men, that they may shake off all carnal security, and be always watchful, because they know not at what hour the Lord will come; and may be ever prepared to say, Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly. Amen.” Westminster Confession of Faith, Ch. 3, Article 3
Q: What hope does everlasting life hold for us?
A: It reminds us that this present fallen world is not all there is; soon we will live with and enjoy God forever in the new city, in the new heaven and the new earth, where we will be fully and forever freed from all sin and will inhabit renewed, resurrection bodies in a renewed, restored creation.” New City Catechism, Question 52
QUESTIONS:
1. What can we do to continually press into the wonder and glory of the cross, so that we grow in joyful maturity?
2. How often do you think about your death? Do most of your contemporaries live as if life will never come to an end?
3. What is “Edgar Allen Poe/Herman Melville/Vincent Van Gogh Syndrome”?
4. What does Scripture mean in Revelation 14:13 which says, “Our works will follow us” (2 Corinthians 5:10)?
5. How does this passage build anticipation and sobriety in living?