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FROM
THE SERVANT GENERAL
LOVING
ONE ANOTHER
(Part 4)
GOD’S
CO-WORKERS
November 9, 2009
Today’s reading from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians
(1 Cor 3:9-17) gives us insights into our relationship with
our brethren, which is one of fraternal love.
As God’s children, we are brethren to one another, and
so should love each other. But it is not just about our personal
relationship as children of God, but equally important is
our relationship as the instruments that God intends to use
for His purposes. We are to do God’s very own work.
“For we are God’s co-workers” (v.9a).
As such, we are built up not only as the body of Christ, but
as an edifice to be used by God, as “you are God’s
field, God’s building” (v.9b). Such an edifice
has very distinct characteristics.
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Its foundation is Jesus Christ himself (v.11).
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All God’s co-workers participate in building up
the edifice (v.10), continually enhancing and strengthening
it, so that it can accomplish the Father’s will
in the world. Different people have different gifts and
contributions, some more “precious” than that
of others (v.12), but what is important is what we put
into the work, the quality of our effort (v.13).
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All God’s co-workers are temples of the Holy Spirit
(v.16), and we look to the Spirit of God for guidance,
wisdom, anointing, empowerment, strength, endurance and
perseverance.
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We are under God’s protection, and whoever seeks
to destroy us and our work will have to contend with God
Himself (v.17a).
Wow! The above is a measure of how important God’s work
is, and how important we are in being God’s instruments
for the work. Our call is of such importance that our very
own salvation is at stake. If our work stands, then we will
be rewarded by God (v.14). If not, we will suffer loss (v.15a).
Finally, Paul reminds us that we are all called to be holy
(v.17b). We belong to God, we are to walk in the footsteps
of Jesus, we are to be set apart and used by the Holy Spirit.
For all the above to happen, it is necessary to love one another.
If we fail in loving one another:
- We
fail in holiness.
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We will not be able to build a solid and stable edifice
but will rather weaken it and eventually destroy it.
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We will not be effective in pursuing God’s call
to us for the life of the world.
-
We endanger our entry into heaven, which is our eternal
reward.
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Loving
One Another (Part4) [PDF] |
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