Bible Verse of the Day Tuesday February 16th 2021

1 Corinthians 3:12-13 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.

This verse assumes that all people are building something in God's church. The church not being the brick-and-mortar assembly, but the assembled followers and believers in Christ Jesus. As the family of God, we can build using resilient and lasting materials or combustible materials. The correct material for building God's Church lies on the person and works of Christ Jesus whereas a combustible substance is any worldly process. In the case of the Corinthians where they were dependent on Greek worldly philosophy, belief, and thinking.

There are six materials mentioned in this verse of Scripture, divided into two categories: resilient and lasting material and combustible material. The latter are wood, hay, and straw that are extremely combustible and will not stand the test of time. When we attempt to build our ministries on short-lived combustible materials, it will not be pleasing in God's sight and will soon disappear. We must choose to build our churches on things that will withstand the fire of God's testing and will bear fruit that will last for eternity. 

The catalog of materials that Paul uses in this verse of Scripture may seem a bit peculiar to some people. He starts with a list of exquisite materials used in building superb palaces or the temple. Then, he catalogs a list of materials that would not be appropriate for the building. However, the lower classes of people would use the materials mentioned later in the verse for building; for instance, mixing mud with straw can be used for a crude, simple structure. The notion here is that a person must decide what materials they will use to build something, temporary or long-lasting.

This information's hyperbole is pointing to leaders and teachers in God's Church and applies to all believers in Christ Jesus. Teachers and preachers' effect on God's Church can influence people in a good or evil way, depending on the building material they choose. He or she can teach the absolute truth from God's Word or the teachers' opinion and political ideas. The Word's truth will last for eternity, whereas God's judgment will burn up the lesser valuable building materials.

All Christians influence the lost in our midst. Remember, the way we live could very well be the only sermon some lost person will ever hear. Let us all make certain we are supplying God's precious materials, instead of Satan's temporary rubbish.

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