Imagine the Beautiful
“For we are God’s fellow workers;
(1 Corinthians 3: 9 NASB)
You are God’s field, God’s building.”
I like this image; maybe you do too.
Working alongside God, in fellowship.
Out in the field, in God’s wide-open plains and gentle-rolling hillsides.
Inside the building, in our weekly workplaces, in our church buildings, & in the community.
We are there, with God, side-by-side—working with Him.
This image is one that is most-beautiful to imagine.
The Apostle Paul had a real knack for explaining what we need to hear, words that God’s Holy Spirit gave him to write within the canon of God’s Word. Let’s pause to read on, to see what more we can understand about living within God’s workmanship.
“For we are God’s fellow workers;
(1 Corinthians 3: 9-11 NASB)
You are God’s field, God’s building.
According to the grace of God which was given to me,
Like a wise master builder I laid a foundation,
And another is building on it.
But each person must be careful how he builds on it.
For no one can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
The Apostle Paul clearly explains how we gain access into this magnificent building—“According to the grace of God which was given to me, . . .”
Now, I am not a craftsman; that would be my husband and my good friend Ron. He is even a teacher of young adults, teaching them the proper way to lay a foundation and how then to build upon it a dwelling that will stand. His work is beautiful. He has a skill, a talent, a spiritual gift with using wood, stone, and other precious materials to fashion into a quality work of art.
God does that with our life, with each life, with the person who willing surrenders to Him!
Imagine the Beautiful.
Truly, just imagine the beautiful work of art we are in God’s eyes.
- You are His child.
- You do His will.
- You tell the world about His Only Son.
- You lead others to come to know Him as personal Savior.
Not only that, but when we become God’s, then we become—“God’s fellow workers & God’s field, & God’s building. . .” BUT WE “must be careful how he builds on it.
For no one can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
Now, as I said, I am not a builder. As a child, I thought I was because “within my mind,” I could see all these beautiful constructions I could create. In fact, my dad had a workshop when we lived in Indiana, and I would spend hours there in the entryway, using the tools he would allow me access to use, thinking of all the wonderful creations I could fashion IF ONLY dad would allow me access to his entire workshop.
My dad was pretty smart.
He knew my inquisitive nature.
He knew I would hurt myself, so he gave me certain tools to use, and no others.
The Apostle Paul clearly goes on to explain how we can get “this life” all wrong, how we can use the wrong “tools” to build our lives with, and how we can end up “hurt.” Let’s read more of God’s Word together & let us understand about living OUTSIDE God’s workmanship.
“For we are God’s fellow workers;
(1 Corinthians 3: 9-13 NASB)
You are God’s field, God’s building.
According to the grace of God which was given to me,
Like a wise master builder I laid a foundation,
And another is building on it.
But each person must be careful how he builds on it.
For no one can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
Now if anyone builds on the foundation [“which is Jesus Christ”] with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw,
each one’s work will become evident;
for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire,
and the fire will test the quality of each one’s work.”
Did we catch what the LORD is saying?
Did we see how the LORD is the refining fire?
Gold—Silver—Precious Stones—Wood—Hay—Straw—All Elements of this world.
- Our work here on earth “will become evident.”
- On judgment day, our “work will become evident.”
- God’s judgment “will show it because it is to be revealed with fire.”
- God’s “fire will test the quality of each one’s work.”
When our life here is finished, & when Jesus returns for those who are His, then the Bible reminds us of what will occur with all the work we have built while here on earth.
“If anyone’s work which he has built on it remains, [“builds on the foundation—Jesus Christ”] he will receive a reward.
(1 Corinthians 3: 14-15 NASB)
If anyone’s work is burned up, [builds on the foundation—with the elements of this world] he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet only so as through fire.”
God is speaking to His children!
God is matter-of-fact about where He wants our focus to remain!
God is Truth!
God reminds us of “WHOSE” we are!
Let’s read more of God’s Word together & be reminded.
“Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
(1 Corinthians 3: 16-17 & 23 & 4: 1-2 NASB)
If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are. . . .
and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.
This is the way any person is to regard us: as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards, that one be found trustworthy.”
Our Father knows which tools we need to focus upon while we remain upon this earth.
Our Father understands how we can be hurt if we focus upon the elements of this earth.
Our Father sees our life—stretching out before us.
Our Father desires that we remember WHOSE WE ARE & WHO BELONGS TO US!
Our Father wants us to never forget WHOSE WE ARE & WHO WE SERVE!
As I finish typing, the melody “Milk & Honey” by Crowder plays into my ears, reminding me of what is to come. Pause to Listen & Be Reminded. https://youtu.be/VjgX9Swwg_c
TRULY, Imagine the Beautiful.
TRULY, Imagine the Beautiful Work of Art We Are in God’s Eyes.
“For we are God’s fellow workers;
(1 Corinthians 3: 9 & 4: 2 NASB)
You are God’s field, God’s building. . . .
In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards, that one be found trustworthy.”