“Take Heed How He Builds On It”

Articles

Derek Long
01/03/21 - Teaching

“Take Heed How He Builds On It” By Derek Long

In 1 Corinthians 3:9, Paul says, “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building” (NKJV). The church is described as God’s building. Continuing with the same imagery 1 Corinthians 3:10 says, “According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it” (NKJV). Paul was a builder because he taught others the word of God. Other builders existed like Apollos, etc. but each builder must take seriously the work he is doing in building. It is important to take heed how one builds because “each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is” (1 Corinthians 3:13, NKJV). How can one take heed how he builds? • Our building must be upon the one foundation. 1 Corinthians 3:11 says, “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (NKJV). Our building must be done upon Jesus Christ. Our direction must be taken from him as builders would take their direction from a cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:4-8). If our work is based upon the teachings and doctrines of men, it will not be found to be of the quality which will endure. There are many people who are building on a foundation besides Jesus. They are laboring in churches established by men rather than in the church built by Christ (Matthew 16:18). • Our building must anticipate it will be tested by fire. 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 says, “Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire” (NKJV). Another passage makes a similar point using the imagery of a flood (Matthew 7:24-27). Many buildings are built today in hopes they will never face a fire or a flood. Most buildings would not do well if they went through one of these types of events. In our spiritual building, we cannot expect to never face fires and flooding. The ultimate test of the quality of our building will take place at the judgment day. However, the quality of our building is sometimes tested even before the final day. Trials and persecution can have a testing effect upon the work we are building (Mark 4:16-17; 1 Peter 1:6-7). When we are teaching people the gospel, it is important for us to remember they will face challenges and difficulties and seek to prepare them to make it through the fire or the flood. Paul had a great concern for those he had a part in converting (1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:5). He was concerned how those he taught were responding to tribulations and persecutions. We need to prepare people for the tests they will face through warning them of what lies ahead. Acts 14:21-22 shows Paul and Barnabas doing this very thing. It says, “And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconic, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, ‘We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God’” (NKJV). We need to prepare people for the tests they will face by teaching them how to endure. It is wonderful and a reward if people we have taught endure to the end and are found faithful at the judgment. If people we teach fall away, it does not mean we will necessarily be lost. We need to build with the intention of having people be able to pass God’s scrutiny. We cannot afford to compromise the truth because such will cause people to not be approved by God. We cannot afford to water down the truth. We need to “Preach the word” (2 Timothy 4:2) and teach the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27) so people have the best possible chance to be found approved on the Last Day