The Master Builder
“According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:10-11)
Paul wrote this 2000 years ago…..2000 years.
Paul was chosen to lay the foundational message, not Peter, James or John.
Paul wrote this 2000 years ago…..2000 years.
Paul was chosen to lay the foundational message, not Peter, James or John.
Of course the word “foundation” is a metaphor for the message about “Jesus Christ”. A good news message regarding the salvation of the world. It was pretty simple then, before the religious institutions of men began to “build” on that foundation. 2000 years later it is almost impossible to see the foundation because of the wood, hay and staw built upon it by religious men.
Here is what I believe to be the foundation and the "trustworthy" message.
“It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.” (1 Timothy 1:15)
“This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:3-4)
“It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men…Prescribe and teach these things.” (1 Timothy 4:9-11)
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority.” (Titus 2:11-15)
The above is the gold, silver and precious stones that is built upon the foundation, Jesus Christ. Anything else taught by religious men to the contrary is simply wood, hay and straw which will be graciously burnt up when the message to mankind from God has become reality...for all.
“Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” (1 Corinthians 3:12-15)
“It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.” (1 Timothy 1:15)
“This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:3-4)
“It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men…Prescribe and teach these things.” (1 Timothy 4:9-11)
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority.” (Titus 2:11-15)
The above is the gold, silver and precious stones that is built upon the foundation, Jesus Christ. Anything else taught by religious men to the contrary is simply wood, hay and straw which will be graciously burnt up when the message to mankind from God has become reality...for all.
“Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” (1 Corinthians 3:12-15)