We live in the real world. People in our world build their lives upon many things:
- Material possessions
- Fame
- Career advancement
- Relationships
- Community involvement
- A host of other things
What that you are doing today will matter in one hundred years? What that you are doing today will matter in one thousand years?
If the circumstances of life come crashing down all around you, revealing the foundation of your life, what will be there?
When your primary allegiance is to anyone other than Jesus, you are acting in a worldly way
It is normal in our world to admire and want to be like other people: business leaders, coaches, family members, friends, military leaders, government leaders, community leaders, even church leaders. But our primary allegiance cannot be to them. No matter how great they are, they are still human. If you put all of your allegiance in them you will be disappointed because sooner or later they will let you down.
Paul writes to the believers in Corinth, urging them to not be immature or worldly, but rather to give their primary allegiance to the Lord.
1 Corinthians 3:2-4
2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food, since you were not yet ready for it. In fact, you are still not ready, 3 because you are still worldly. For since there is envy and strife among you, are you not worldly and behaving like mere humans? 4 For whenever someone says, “I belong to Paul,” and another, “I belong to Apollos,” are you not acting like mere humans?
We are God’s coworkers, but be clear that God is the one who gives the growth
When you think about what your life is built upon, you inevitably begin to think of the gifts, talents and abilities that you have. Remember, you were given those by God. Paul was an amazing church planter. Apollos was a tremendous Bible teacher. We all have gifts and abilities given to us by God. He wants us to use our talents to work alongside him as a coworker, impacting people’s lives in positive ways and pointing them toward faith in Jesus Christ.
But do not forget — God is the one who gives the growth.
1 Corinthians 3:5-9
5 What then is Apollos? What is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, and each has the role the Lord has given. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are God’s coworkers. You are God’s field, God’s building.
Build your life upon the foundation of Jesus Christ and not anything else
The trials of life will reveal how strong is your foundation. Houses made of hay, wood and even brick can be destroyed by fire or other disaster. Relationships may come to an end. You may run out of money. People may stop inviting you to parties. Your Instagram photos may stopped getting liked and your fame may go away.
If your life is built upon the foundation of Jesus Christ, even if your health fails or your finances hit rock bottom or if everyone you love turns their back on you, you will be solid and secure because Jesus is your foundation.
1 Corinthians 3:10-13
10 According to God’s grace that was given to me, I have laid a foundation as a skilled master builder, and another builds on it. But each one is to be careful how he builds on it. 11 For no one can lay any other foundation than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, 13 each one’s work will become obvious. For the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work.
You are God’s temple and the Holy Spirit lives in you
If you are a believer in Jesus Christ who has been saved by grace through faith, the Holy Spirit resides in your heart and mind, in your very soul. The Holy Spirit is not contained in a building such as a temple. He lives in the heart and mind of every believer in Jesus Christ! He is your rock. He is your foundation. Honor him at all times. Depend on him at all times. Follow his guidance. Lean on his strength. He is your foundation.