I Corinthians Chapter 3
Whenever there are problems within churches, no matter what the problem or division might be, there is always one common denominator. That common denominator is a lack of dependence on God. In this instance the people of the church at Corinth thought themselves to be wise spiritual individuals. However, as Paul pointed out, they were operating in carnality or in the flesh rather than in the Spirit. It is possible to be born again believers but to be acting, thinking, and responding to human stimuli as an unbeliever would respond. This is what Paul calls spiritual immaturity.
Let's Reflect
1. Paul warned them against the division in the church caused by some having a sworn allegiance to Paul and others having allegiance to what other leader? This man was also mentioned in Acts 18.
2. Paul reminds the Corinthians that he is just a laborer, and they need to be looking to their true leader. Who is he?
3. When you look at a church ministry or any ministry of the gospel, there needs to be a solid foundation. Who is the one who makes up that solid foundation? See verse 11.
4. Paul sees the work that he and Apollos and other leaders are doing as the work of fellow laborers. They each have different functions, but both are equally important to the ministry. Isn’t fascinating that God would want us to all do various things to do His work?
5. In the end the work that we do as ministry to serve the Lord will be tested or judged. It will not be a judgement of who did the most for the Lord, but it will be a judgement of what value we assigned to the work that we did. Did we do good works to bring glory to our self or did we do good works in service of Him? II Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things [done] in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Those who built upon the good foundation of Jesus Christ, good works, what will they receive?
6. What will happen to all the “good works” that believers present to Jesus Christ on judgement day that were done with the wrong motivation or purpose?
7. When we think back to the initial problem that Paul was addressing in the church – that of division and strife, we realize that they did not have a proper view of who they were in Christ Jesus. The same could be true of believers today. What does Paul remind us of in verse 16 that is so important?
8. Paul also reminds us that no wisdom of any man can be matched with the wisdom of God. We humans can get so star struck by people who are famous; but as believers in the eternal God, we have been given access to the whole universe. It is rather silly to just put all our hopes and admirations in a mere man when Christ has said we are one with Him. What does verse 23 mean to you?
Devotionals
