Our scripture this morning is 1 Corinthians 3:10-17.
According to God’s grace that was given to me, I have laid a foundation as a skilled master builder, and another builds on it. But each one is to be careful how he builds on it. For no one can lay any foundation other than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, each one’s work will become obvious. For the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will experience loss, but he himself will be saved — but only as through fire. Don’t you yourselves know that you are God’s temple and that the Spirit of God lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and that is what you are.
Paul writes that we are all to build our lives on the foundation of Jesus Christ. He tells us that whatever we do, “one’s work will become obvious”, and the quality of our work will be tested. We know that our work should be aimed at pleasing God and not ourselves.
This passage asks us “Don’t you yourselves know that you are God’s temple and that the Spirit of God lives in you?” This means that every one of us is precious to Him. Ever since Jesus returned to the Father, the Holy Spirit has been present, working in us and through us that His kingdom may come on earth.
By His presence with us, God shows His love for the world. We hear that because He lives in us we are declared holy. He loves us individually and collectively as His children and wants only the best for all of His creation.
Loving Lord, thank You for always being with us. Help us to acknowledge Your presence in us and share Your love with the world. Amen.
