In the Kingdom of God it is important to not just understand the primary thing we are called to build, but understand there is a difference in what we choose to build with.
A chapter in the scripture that has really been standing out recently is 1 Corinthians 3. Within this chapter there is so much that I believe is speaking into much of what we are seeing take place in the Body of Christ. Great exposure is taking place, people are being shaken, and sadly many are turning from the faith… but why? I believe the answer is found right in this chapter where Paul is speaking on not just what we should be building, but what we should be building with!
I would encourage you to read the entire chapter prior to help lay some groundwork into what I am about to share. Let’s start with the verses below.
“Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.” (1 Cor. 3:5-8)
In this Paul speaks of two functions being done by him and Apollos:
- Planting
- Watering
Obviously, with any basic understanding of agricultural terms, we know that what is being planted is a seed, and it's the same seed that is then watered. Does scripture tell us what this seed to be planted is?
“Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.” (Luke 8:11)
Anything about what the water is referring to?
“that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,” (Ephesians 5:26)
So both Paul and Apollos are using the same thing, however it is operating in two different functions. Isn’t the Word of God powerful?!?
So now that we understand what the seed and the water are, then the next part should be clear. Where is this being planted? Must be in the soil, right? So what does soil represent in scripture? Let’s look at the first parable Jesus taught!
“Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds of the air came and devoured it. Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away. And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirty fold, some sixty, and some a hundred.” And He said to them, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Mark 4:3-9)
Jesus tells that understanding the meaning of this parable is what unlocks the ability to understand the rest.
“And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?” (Mark 4:13)
Jesus then goes on to give the understanding.
“The sower sows the word. And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble. Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirty fold, some sixty, and some a hundred.” (Mark 4:14-20)
The soil is the heart, and notice there are four types of soil that the seed can be sown and watered into. The condition of the soil determines what is or is not grown!
Let’s quickly recap:
- Soil- Heart
- Seed- Word
- Water- Word
Next we see Paul move into a parallel of the agricultural side of planting and growing, and he moves into building something.
“For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.” (1 Cor. 3:9)
Now when something is being built, the first thing that must be done is the ground worked and the foundation prepared and laid. Let’s see what Paul says the foundation is that we are to build upon.
“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. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor. 3:10-11)
The foundation is Jesus Christ, and His finished work on the Cross! He is the Rock, and the firm foundation!
Next Paul says to take heed to what we build with upon the foundation of Christ!
“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.” (1 Cor. 3:12-15)
We see two categories of materials:
- Gold, Silver, Precious Stones
- Wood, Hay, Straw
He says these will all be tested by fire, and only what makes it through the fire will count. Of these two groups, which materials do you think can pass through fire? Group 1, right?
To summarize the materials in group two would be to say these three are all dead things…
Now let’s look to scripture to see what gold, silver, and precious stones are.
“How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.” (Proverbs 16:16)
So wisdom is gold, and where is it found?
“Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding, But what is in the heart of fools is made known.” (Proverbs 14:33)
It rests in the heart! Are you seeing the parallel Paul is speaking of in his letter? Soil is the heart, and here we also see the first building material found in the heart. Let’s keep going!
Above we also saw what silver refers to, which is understanding. Does scripture tell where silver is found?
“Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” (1 Kings 3:9)
So both gold (wisdom) and silver (understanding) are things built in the heart!
So “who” is wisdom??? Go read all of Proverbs chapter 8 and come back!
Do you see Him? Wisdom is Jesus Christ! He is the gold, He is the treasure, He is the reward! And it is our destiny that we be conformed into His image! This first takes place within the heart as He purifies our heart and molds His character into us. How does He do this? Through our daily lives and the things we walk through, be they trials, tests, tribulation, and yes even suffering! In the very things that more often than not we cry out for Him to remove from us vs. asking to empower us and help lean into the process and the molding He is doing.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8)
You see, the more we allow Jesus to purify our heart the clearer we see Him! This is what we call sanctification! Again through the things we all encounter and walk through are simply invitations to know Jesus more! There are many names of the Lord found all through scripture. YHWH, El Shaddai, Jireh, Rapha, etc. and within each of the names of the Lord there is a revelation of His nature and character He wants us to experientially know. Not just know about, but to genuinely know!
“And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.” (Psalms 9:10)
It is in the things we go through and as we encounter Jesus in them, that He shapes Himself in our heart, and through the proces we gain understanding. Which is not ultimately for us, but actually for the sake of others.
Let’s see something Paul wrote in his second letter to Corinth.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.” (2 Cor. 1:3-7)
As gold and silver are built in the heart, we then gain the third material that passes the test of fire, precious stones.
“There is gold and a multitude of rubies, But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.” (Proverbs 20:15)
Knowledge, which is found upon the lips. Just like Paul said above it’s what we encounter that we are able to share with others, why? Because we should want to see them experience and walk with Jesus just as we are!
Within all of this we clearly see a connection of the heart and the mouth. When gold and silver are being molded into the heart of a person, it will be made known by what comes from their lips!
“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45)
When our heart is filled with good treasure (Jesus), it is Him, His Word, and His Kingdom that is found ever upon our lips!
“For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge, And people should seek the law from his mouth; For he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.” (Malachi 2:7)
Let’s circle back to the materials Paul says we can choose to build with.
- Gold, Silver, Precious Stones
- Wood, Hay, Straw
Again, wood, hay, and straw are all dead things… Now that we know where we are building is the heart, we see it is possible that a person can be saved, yet choose to live with a dead heart towards Jesus. Which will cost them greatly in the age to come…
“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.” (1 Cor. 3:13-15)
Some questions we must all continually reflect on are:
What is the condition of our heart?
Are we leaning into the things He takes us through to mold and mature us?
Are we aware of others He has or is looking to draw near to Him through us, so that we can help them with the knowledge He has given us?