Saturday, March 11, 2023

Today’s Scripture Reading 
1 Corinthians 3:11–23

For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw — the work of each builder will become visible, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each has done. If what has been built on the foundation survives, the builder will receive a reward. If the work is burned up, the builder will suffer loss; the builder will be saved, but only as through fire.

Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.

Do not deceive yourselves. If you think that you are wise in this age, you should become fools so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”

So let no one boast about human leaders. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future — all belong to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God. (NRSV)

Reflection

I belonged to a Presbyterian Church (USA) congregation in another state for many years. A few years after my family joined that church, its beloved and popular pastor announced he was leaving as he felt he was being called to lead a world mission organization.

Over the next fifteen years, that church went through several pastors and its membership declined by more than half. An analysis of all the reasons could fill a book. There were the members who couldn’t let go of the beloved pastor. There were the members who tried to fill the created vacuum with their own agendas. There were the members who felt only a huge capital project to renovate the building would “fix” all the problems.

Perhaps you have experienced something similar in a church or other organization. I know there were faithful people in that congregation who tried their best to keep Jesus Christ at the center. Even so, we were human, and differences of opinion over preaching styles, direction of programs, and the building took their toll.

Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth rings so true for that congregation and for all of us. The only lasting foundation the church can be built on is Jesus Christ. Pastors come and go. Programs come and go. Buildings and members come and go. Christ is the lasting foundation.

Prayer

God, thank you for the gift of love you poured out for us in your Son. Help us keep him at the center of our lives. Amen.

Written by Anthony Hipp, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

Devotion index by date

Please email me daily devotions