The Foundation is Jesus Christ

 

The Foundation is Jesus Christ

 

1 Corinthians 3:10-13

“According to the grace of God given to me, I laid the foundation (demerios) as a wise builder, and others build on it. But each one should be careful how he builds on it. For no one can lay any other foundation than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on it with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, grass, or straw, each person’s work (to ergon) will be revealed, for the day will make it clear, for it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.”

Paul laid the foundation of Jesus Christ. The Gospel is planting Jesus Christ in the hearts of people. "Demerios" means foundation or basis. Just as the foundation of the floor is laid first before constructing a building, that very foundation is Jesus Christ. Just as a building can collapse or be incomplete if the foundation is not properly laid, if Jesus Christ is not properly established, people will come to have a different faith.

To ergon (τὸ ἔργον) signifies ministry. It speaks of the need to build something that does not burn upon the foundation of Jesus Christ. It means that these ministries must stand firmly on the foundation of Christ, which does not burn. If a believer has diligently performed the ministry of Christ's gospel, but that ministry is made of wood, grass, or straw that burns up, it will all collapse.

1 Corinthians 3:16, "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" This expresses the Kingdom of God within the heart, stating that Jesus Christ dwells right within this heart, and if this is not proclaimed, it becomes all in vain, like something burned up in fire.

The Kingdom of God is connected by the Holy Spirit. It signifies that the Father, Jesus Christ, and the saints are united through the Holy Spirit.

First, the Kingdom of God, where the Father, Jesus Christ, and the saints are united by the Holy Spirit, is called the Third Heaven. The Apostle Paul mentions the Third Heaven in 2 Corinthians 12:2. The Kingdom of God is one, yet it is described as three. The First, Second, and Third Heavens are connected by the Holy Spirit and operate according to the word of Jehovah God. Although the Kingdom of God is one, it is visible to human eyes in three forms due to the angel who sinned within it.

Second, the Kingdom of God within the heart is a kingdom where the power of the Holy Spirit works. Romans 14:17 states, "For the kingdom of God (he basileia tou Theou) is not eating and drinking, but righteousness (dykaiosyne), peace (eirene), and joy (chara) in the Spirit (pneumati hagio)."

"He basileia tou theou" (ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ) signifies a special kingdom ruled by God the Father. It means that the Kingdom of God is not about physical eating and drinking. However, Paul points out that the Kingdom of God is often perceived as being bound by legal regulations regarding food and drink. The Kingdom of God is spiritual, consisting of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. These are virtues enjoyed in one's relationship with God.

δικαιοσύνη (dūkaiosynē) signifies the righteousness of God, and εἰρήνη (eirene) is peace found in a relationship with God. CHARA becomes joy because one is with God. πνεύματι ἁγίῳ (pneumati hagio) is the holy spirit, signifying the Holy Spirit. It is the holiness possessed only by God. God is the King of righteousness, the King of peace, and the King of joy. This means that within the holy Kingdom of God—that is, the kingdom ruled by God—there is always righteousness, peace, and joy.

Regarding God's righteousness, Romans 1:17 states, "For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed, which is by faith from beginning to end, just as it is written: 'The righteous shall live by faith.'" What is God's righteousness? God's righteousness signifies eternal life (resurrection life). Matthew 5:6 states, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." It is those who lack eternal resurrection life who seek God's righteousness.

The reason God acknowledges those who enter into Jesus Christ as righteous is that resurrection life enters into them. The word "righteous" does not mean one who performs righteous acts or is fair and just, but rather one who conforms to God's will. God's will lies in reviving the dead spirit. To those who realize God's will and pursue God's righteousness is to be those who possess resurrection life, in which the Holy Spirit works.

Peace refers to those who bring about peace. Romans 5:9 states, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." Jesus is the one who brings reconciliation between God and sinners. Sinners cannot approach God. However, through Christ, even sinners can approach God. When sinners repent and die with Jesus, who died on the cross (when they are united), all their sins vanish, they enter into Christ, and become at peace with God. Therefore, those who are in Christ likewise cause other sinners to bring peace with God. By proclaiming the Word of God, they lead other sinners to repent and return to God.

Regarding joy, although one faces many difficulties while preaching the gospel, the instruction is to do so with joy and gladness instead. Matthew 5:11-12 states, "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because your reward in heaven is great. For in the same way persecuted the prophets who were before you."

For a saint who has received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and in whom the Holy Spirit works, the Kingdom of God always comes, bringing spiritual joy and a sense of happiness. In other words, the Kingdom of God depends on the state of the believer's heart.

In carrying out the ministry of the gospel, the people of the Corinthian church must preach the Logos, who dwells in the hearts of the saints; however, because they preach Jesus based on knowledge recorded in the Scriptures, Paul sees it as if they are laying a foundation of wood, grass, and straw. Therefore, Paul speaks of the temple within the hearts of the saints.

A temple is built in the heart of the saint in Christ, and Jehovah God dwells there through the working of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, within that temple, one meets God the Father through the Ho Logos. The message is that if one does not know or believe in the Ho Logos within the heart of the saint, the foundation is not being properly established.

 

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