Lesson 453

(Lesson 453)(11-11-12) 1 Corinthians 3:1-11, "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? For 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? I 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 labour. 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 masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ."

This lesson tells us that no one person, or preacher, should be exalted one over another as it concerns the preaching of God's word. We should all take an equal part in the blessed labor charged to us, giving credit and praise for the fruits of our efforts to God alone. Those who hear the word are to praise God for the message and discount the importance of the messenger.

It is because of God's grace we received the blessed gift of Christ crucified, therefore we should give all praise to Him.

Sadly, there are many "Christians" who will follow one certain preacher, not because of the substance of the message the preacher brings, but because of a personality, some even to the extent of leaving the congregation. That is a sad commentary for Christianity.

As Paul demonstrates in this lesson, those who chase after personalities don't understand the ultimate, spiritual meaning of the gospel, they have not been established on a firm spiritual foundation. They are, in a sense, just riding a popularity wave. Paul refers to these as "babes in Christ", those yet unable to consume the "meat" of the gospel.

It is the responsibility of all of us who have tasted "the heavenly gift" to make sure that these "babes" make the transition from "milk" to "meat", and are firmly planted on the gospel foundation laid by Jesus Christ Himself, always careful to give the praise, not to each other, but to almighty God. ~