By: Undre Griggs, Jr.
The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ makes Him the chief cornerstone and foundation of the church. When Jesus speaks of those who are wise, he refers to them as being builders who built a home that can withstand the storms of life. These storms will cause immense rain, wind and flooding. If we have not fastened ourselves on a solid foundation, our faith will crumble.
Matthew 7:24-27 (ESV): “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul speaks of his faith being built on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ. While visiting the church in Corinth, Paul sees the church is divided over who baptized them. Paul wants everyone to understand if they did not die on the cross for the remission of sin, then they are not the focus. It can nice to remember the person who baptized us, but it is wise to remember these differences can cause divisions and have no bearing on our soul.
1 Corinthians 3:10-13 (ESV): 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.
Similar to Jesus, Paul suggests there will be trials that will separate those who built their house on the right foundation from those who have not. In Paul’s depiction, a fire will reveal those who have Jesus Christ as their chief cornerstone. Any other foundation will be discovered inefficient and will not survive. Jesus Christ offers a strength that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). He requires us to love Him with all of heart, mind, and soul (Luke 10:27). He expects us to be faithful until death (Revelations 2:10); forgoing the traditions of men and focusing on the kingdom He established (Matthew 6:33). In short, Jesus only requires the obedience necessary for His will to produce fruit in our life. Only by building the house as He designed it can we ensure it will endure the trials and temptations of life.
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