I Corinthians 3, Spiritual Infancy

 

I Corinthians 3 – Spiritual Infancy

 

Paul starts out reminding the Corinthians that there was a time when they were just babes in Christ. They left a worldly pagan community to become Christians. They were new in the faith and not yet ready to receive the deeper truths. Sadly, even over the passing of time, Paul states that they are still not ready. Because of their jealousy and strife among the brethren it was evident that they were still following worldly ways. How can they claim that they are of Paul or of Apollos when God is the source for Christianity. Paul and Apollos were human beings, ministers of God who gave them the ability to teach. All teachers of the Word are ministers of God, belonging to God and laboring for Him. We as believers are God’s building and He has laid a foundation in us. It is by God’s grace that has commissioned us to carry on His work. Any fruit that comes from our work goes to the Glory of God. Paul’s foundation with the Corinthian church started with Christ and Him crucified. That should be the starting point for all of us. To lay a foundation on any other person or religion would not be a solid foundation and is certainly not a starting point for Christianity. I have heard some great preachers, but I would also say that they wouldn’t be great if God had not ordained them to be great. God is the one we worship, not the preacher, teacher or missionary who labors for God. Whatever our position as a church member, we are building Christ’s church. We are exerting some kind of influence and making some kind of contribution. Is it to build up our self-esteem or is it to glorify our Lord? May we see our ministry as God sees it and seek to please God in our efforts. As the Corinthians believing in the Lord Jesus, they now have God dwelling in their hearts. As they were, so are we, the temple of God. His spirit dwells within us. When there is pride, contentions in the body Christ, then arises, divisions and the Holy Spirit is quenched, and the very temple of God is destroyed. Paul urges anyone who think he is wise to become foolish. Which means he needs to humble himself and be willing to learn. No one can teach a man if he thinks he knows it all already. Those are the ones full of pride and usually causes the dissensions among his brethren. Paul reminds us that the wisdom of this world is absolute foolishness in comparison to the wisdom of God. We must humble ourselves and accept God’s fatherly admonition. God loves us and claims us as His own.

 

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