Solid foundation

Doing some homework and learning about Paul's metaphores. I Corinthians 3:10-15 have just blown my mind.

Back in the day, fire was a huge concern for the people of Corinth. Open fires were used for warmth and cooking, and with the living arrangements the way they were, fires happened nearly every day. So Paul uses this as a metaphore that to this day we should all consider.

Paul challenges any teacher of faith saying that what and how we build on upon our foundation, obviously Christ, will surely be tested, thus revealing what our structure is really made of. If we start with a structure and build upon it with gold, silver and other fine stone, we will build a structure that cna withstand a fire. On the contrary, a structure built of hay, wood, and mud would never withstand any given fire.

In the same sense, as we are making our preparations for our weekly environments, our teachings, our dicipleships, etc. we have a choice. We can either build with gold, silver and stone, putting in the time, effort and dedication, by seeking the word of God and His guidance for every step of the way, OR we can merely rely on ourselves, our own knowledge, "wing it" and hope for the best. Basically we can make our preperations by pursueing God and His liking, or we can do things on our own, spending more time preparing physically than spiritually.

The thing with all this is that our work will be put to the test. This is such a tangible truth. I can think back to times when I didn't spend enough time with God, gave a message and felt it totally BOMB! Other times when I prepared what I could and sought God more than ever and the message, the night and the response was incredible!

The question I ask myself is this, "Am I building a structure that will withstand the test of flames, or will I run from this burning structure empty handed?" I remember Jeremiah 48:10 "A curse on him who is lax in doing the Lord's work! A curse on him who keeps his sword from bloodshed!"

My prayer is that I am not lax in the work the Lord has so blessed me with, rather I build upon His priceless foundation with everything I've got, not sparing a thing.