Co-Workers

1 Corinthians 3
I (Paul) have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are laborers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
1 Corinthian 3:6-9


LET IT GLOW

Co-workers. Certain people come to my mind whenever I say the word. How about you?
Down through the years I have had some very helpful, wonderful co-workers. But then, I have had some lousy ones too. You have probably had the same experiences. In this chapter, Paul is talking about being God's co-worker, following and serving Him. He is also talking about his fellow workers in the ministry-Apollos, Peter, Luke, etc. Let's see what Paul has to say about them.

In verse 9, Paul says we are laborers together with God. Its our responsibility to keep in living constant touch with God, and to see that we allow nothing to hinder our cooperation with Him. We are to be absolutely devoted to our co-Worker. We have no right to judge where we should be put, or to have preconceived notions as to what God is fitting us for. God engineers everything wherever He puts us. Our one great aim is to pour out a wholehearted devotion to Him in that particular work.
(Resource:  My Utmost For His Highest, Daily Devotional Journal  by Oswald Chambers)

Each ones' work is important in the ministry as they use different spiritual gifts for God's glory. The emphasis
in on our being faithful to obey and not the success.  Am I a faithful servant of the Lord's?

Matthew Henry said,"We work under Him, with Him, and for Him (God).


LET IT GROW

Paul uses two metaphors here-an agricultural one and an architectural one.
First, Paul planted the Gospel seed and Apollos watered, teaching those believers in Corinth. It was God who gave the increase. God saves by His grace and grows people to spiritual maturity, yielding fruit.

David Guzik said,"We work with God in our "field." The work Paul did with God was to work "on" God's people. They were His "field." What's important is that God makes the seed grow. He gives the increase."

Am I planting seeds of the Good News, Jesus saves? Am I watering, encouraging faith in people? Am I trusting God to give the increase?

Second, Paul said we are God's building. Christ is the foundation of our Christian life. Our works build upon that foundation. They can be two different kinds-combustible and incombustible.

New Living Translation, verses 12-15 say, "Anyone who build on that foundation (Jesus Christ) may use a variety of materials-gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person's work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames."

What are these materials? I have read many commentaries on this chapter. They say these materials may be doctrines/ the law;  faith/ works; good/bad; tribulations, afflictions, trials.
I wonder if Paul is telling us that we are building our mansion in heaven, using these materials, laying the stones so to speak. Are the stones in the walls made of  gold, silver, and jewels our faith, obedience, worship, prayers, attitude, loving deeds done for our neighbors, deeds done for the glory of God, applying of God's Word in our life resulting in fruit of the Spirit,  those works that survive judgment? Are the other parts  the wood, hay, straw our selfish, sinful deeds done in the flesh, done for our glory, those works that burn up in the judgment? I don't have any Biblical basis, just wondering. Do you have any suggestions?

Hebrews 11:6a - "Without faith it is impossible to please Him."

1 Samuel 15:22b-23a-"Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken (submission), than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as (bad as) the sin of  witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry (bad as worshiping idols)." (NLT in parenthesis)

1 Samuel 16:7b- "man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."

Jeremiah 17:26b-"bringing sacrifices of praise, unto the house of the Lord."

Hebrews 13:15- "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name."

James 5:16b- "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

Romans 14:23b-"whatsoever is not of faith is sin."


LET IT GO

Be a co-worker with Christ.

Plant the seed of God's Word, then water It with love.

Keep Jesus as the foundation of my life.