For Other Foundation Can No Man Lay That This Is Laid, Which Is Jesus Christ - Part 1802

"And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, [even] as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat; for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal; for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?" (I Corinthians 3:1-3)

Herein, the apostle Paul is encouraging the saints at Corinth (and by extension, you and I) to become faithful stewards of the mysteries -- the hidden truths of God --- so that when He -- (God our Father and the Son regenerated) -- the Holy Ghost comes into our hearts and dwells within, He will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts. Therefore, no man should be puffed up in one's own vanity, or one against another, for we who believe in Jesus by faith are equals within the body of Christ Church.

Indeed, Jesus said, "I have chosen and ordained you ..." for a reason. Because He has made each and every one of us unique, and given us a life purpose to fulfill, whilst we were still in our mother's womb. And thus, when we understand the significance of our faith journey, and our higher calling which includes pressing into the mark which is Christ, we should also be willing, like the apostles to become fools for Christ's sake. (I Corinthians 4:10)

To this end, Paul refers to those who believe as "labourers together with God; ye are God's husbandry; ye are God's building, according to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another builds thereon. But let every man take heed how he builds thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." (I Corinthians 3:9-11)

Why? Because JESUS is the Rock of ages. He is the Great I AM. The King of kings and Lord of lords. Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. And He is the Head of the Church -- the One and Only Potentate.

For "after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:4-7)

As a consequence of knowing His love for us, we now adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things -- "for the grace of God that brings salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world -- looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works ..." (Titus 2:11-14)

This is why we pray without ceasing and rejoice evermore. It is for this reason that we study His Word to show ourselves approved unto God, a workman that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth. (II Timothy 2:15) And although we may be a spectacle unto the world, we know in whom we have believed, and from whence comes our salvation.

Thus, "now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us, and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you. For I think that God hath set forth us apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised, even unto this present hour we both hunger and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place; and labour, working with our own hands ...

[Still, as apostle Paul points out,] being reviled, we bless: being persecuted, we suffer it; being defamed, we intreat; we are made as the filth of the world and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons, I warn you -- for though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel ..." (I Corinthians 4:8-21)

Therefore, while one saith, "I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?" Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man. So then neither is he that plants any thing, neither he that waters, but God that gives the increase. 

"For we are labourers together with God; ye are God's husbandry, [ye are] God's building ... according to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another builds thereon. But let every man take heed how he builds thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." (I Corinthians 3:1-11) 

And because of our foundation in Jesus Christ, we know that we have been bought with a price: therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit. Know that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in you. Thus, we are no longer our own, but everything that we have and we are is because the Lord God Himself willingly became our Saviour.  The Word made flesh and dwelt among us so that we could behold His glory. (John 1:1-18) God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6)

So, worship with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ today. He is our foundation, our Rock, our strength in tumultuous times, and as He said while walking this earth, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." (Hebrews 13:5)

And "by Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His good Name; but to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices, God is well pleased." (Hebrews 13:15-16)

Stand in the offering plate.