Christ is the very ground on which we stand
by Kimberley Pfeiffer
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If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward (1 Corinthians 3:14).
Read 1 Corinthians 2:14 – 3:15
In today’s reading, the Apostle Paul was writing to the people at the church in Corinth. Paul had been away for some time, and his sapling church was struggling along. Things weren’t going very well, and upon hearing about the quarrels and conflict, Paul sent this message to encourage them and lead them into the mysteries of God.
Paul wanted to reveal to them a deeper understanding of the wisdom and power of God in the cross of Christ, but first, he needed to show them that their thinking was not being ruled by the Spirit of God. Paul pointed this out as he reflected on their concerns about which leader to follow – Paul or Apollos. This matter was causing them great unrest. As in every generation, we do well to reflect on how this relates to us in the challenges we face in our own church.
Paul showed them that they were thinking about their problems in the wrong way. They were relying on human wisdom. He said that the only way forward for the church is to seek the wisdom of God with the help of the Holy Spirit, who reveals and teaches spiritual truths (1 Corinthians 2:10–13).
Paul opened their minds to the wisdom of Christ by helping them to look beyond what they could see in the human sense. He showed them that the cross is the only way, and this would require patient endurance in their spiritual growth as a church. They could only do this by putting their trust in Christ as their spiritual foundation, their stable base. Paul goes on to say that this will be hard because it will go against everything they thought they knew – after all, the way of the cross is folly to the world.
As we read God’s word today, we, too, can be reminded of the importance of placing our trust in Christ as our only foundation. One blessing from this is that we are set free to appreciate our pastors for who they are and not pick them apart for what they are not. We can thank God that we have them and that God has given them to us for our growth in faith and love as we learn with the saints to walk in the way of Christ.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son, Jesus Christ, to be your church’s firm foundation. Lord, you know how fragile our faith can be when we are fearful about the future. Teach us your ways, and raise up faithful servants to nourish your church with your life-giving word. We ask this with the help of the Holy Spirit and in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Kimberley Pfeiffer is married to Joshua, and they have four children. She is a member of the Lutheran Church of Australia and has served in various forms of church work. Kimberley is currently studying in graduate school at Concordia Lutheran Seminary, St Louis, USA. She is enjoying the challenge and the adventure abroad.
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