1Corinthians 3:1-9 REMEMBER WHAT YOU ARE A PART OF When a new assembly of believers gathers in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ in a local area and begins to carry out scriptural practices, there are some things we have in common. Everyone who is a part of that fellowship has received the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Savior, and they love Him deeply. Each one is indwelt by the Holy Spirit and has a Spirit-begotten desire to please God and obey His Word. There is a concern for others that unites us around the truth of the Gospel and the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus. We all appreciate the work the Lord Jesus did when He was here, and we would like to be like Him and truly follow in His steps. To live a Christ-like life among family and friends is important to us. There is a certain unique spirituality about us when we are first saved, and as an assembly begins its public testimony in a community. There is a clear distinction between what is natural and what is spiritual at that time in our Christian experience. Unfortunately, that enthusiasm for the things of God doesn't always continue.
As believers grow older in Christ, and as an assembly of saints continues in their public representation of our risen Lord, there should be evidence of maturity and spiritual growth in the company of saints as a whole, and in the individual believers who represent that company in all their walks in life. Growth in Christ will be evident in the way the spirits of God's people rise above the normal fleshly way of life that is common to the natural man. Envying implies discontent in the children of God. A family of God's people should be recognized by the similarities we have because of the new nature God has implanted in us. Envy leads to division when one person is determined to have their way and insists that others submit to what they want, or they are visibly and verbally unhappy.
For a group of God's people who gather in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and have been called out of the natural world to Him, and then divide over favorite preachers or preachers, is abhorrent to those who look on - and to God. How childish it is to line up behind different people and allow division to take hold in a family or an assembly. That is like one child in a family who is only willing to listen to the mother, and another who only responds to the father. A normal family functions well when the distinctions of the roles of both parents are understood, respected, and obeyed. The same respect for each other is expected in the believers in a local assembly, as was at Corinth. Unfortunately, those believers were still like immature children - and not only them.
As growth takes place in the lives of God's people, we realize that we are gathered to the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is in heaven interceding for us. Our consciousness of a living Savior continually mediating on our behalf takes us beyond ourselves and all the blessings we have received to Him and how we can bless Him. This goes beyond the nourishment milk provides for us, to meat that strengthens us to be able to serve Him. Jealousy and divisions, quarreling and envy are self-centered expressions of selfishness and carnality. We each have our role to fill in service for God. Let us each be thankful for what God has allowed us to do for His glory, and, as we help others, realize that we serve God when we serve people. The gifts God has given us enable all of us, as members of a body, to meet the needs of the assembly. Also, the use of the gifts helps us to "do good unto all men" as it pleases God.
The preparation of the ground for seeding and the sowing of seed require one who is able and willing to labor extensively to bring about the conditions for the harvest we expect, by faith, to bring blessing. One who waters needs to be a patient person, willing to do the same thing day after day, and content to watch a little change in growth. The life of the seed that is planted flourishes because of the water that comes from God Himself through His servants. He alone is the Source of life. He is the One who can make the life-principle work and bring forth "much fruit."
Each different person working in God's field is an important part of the whole work. The diversity of gifts suits the diversity of needs to complete that work. Everyone who is a laborer in the field is of God, from God, and for God. That's why we have all been elected, saved, and suited for the ministry that reaches out to the world from the local churches of God. As we mature individually within the family, we grow in our ability to work more skillfully in the harvest field. That diversity of ability and strength unites the people of God with a common purpose. As we look ahead with anticipation to the time when the Lord Jesus Christ reigns in glory, we should be unified in our spirits, that we might glorify Him now in our assembly life and in our personal lives, in our "bodies and spirits which are His."
At the same time, we focus on our ministry with all its aspects, which needs every saint to be unified. Even though each one is different, we are reminded that we have no reason to be proud. "Puffed up" is a term used to describe the Corinthian believers. Humility is needed alongside enthusiasm to place all the credit for a good harvest where it belongs. "It is God that giveth the increase." One may labor so that the necessary finances are there to support another one who preaches the Gospel and leads souls to Christ. At the same time, there are those unseen people who are earnestly praying that the condition of the unbelievers, the spiritual condition of the preacher, the commitment of the one witnessing, might be such that God can work through those chosen vessels.
God wants to see fruit produced in an assembly that will, in turn, produce more fruit in God's great field. We are all going to be recompensed for the labor we expend to further the Gospel and bring in the fruitful harvest. Holiness, righteousness, faithfulness, praise, worship, and precious souls are all fruit that can come from a fruitful assembly, a "tilled field." Cultivation requires effort and care of "God's husbandry." The same is needed in His building.
It is not by chance that God chooses to place a variety of gifts together The need is varied, so the resources are different for every sister and brother Has a role to fill, a work to do, an opportunity that is unique.
When placed where God intends each to be, a voice is heard by those who seek. That person has been gifted by God and placed in a strategic location Previously spiritually prepared to meet the needs of the situation The result of which, when that person's work is finally done Another is called upon by the Holy Spirit, and the lost person is won.
It may be another person cannot seem to make good connections And their gift is to provide what is needed to bring blessing in distant locations The far-reaching impact of faithful labor is needed in God's harvest field Sowers, those who water, and reapers are essential when the seed does yield What the Lord of the harvest intended when each different one He sent Because He alone knows the gift He gave and what is each person's bent When the harvest is over, and the labor is done, and the profit finally is counted Each one who had a part in the work rejoices because the Lord Himself is exalted.
Like in a family we want the babies to grow, into maturity in faith Each bears a characteristic of the One who saved them by His amazing grace When we labor in God's field, to be a participant in the great harvest is our reward When the fruit is all reaped and counted, all the glory belongs to the Lord The diversity of the work we do, does not change our united goal In unity our purpose is to bless the Lord and bring salvation to precious souls When serving in a spirit of humility then there is a place God can bless Praise, worship, and honor are given Him when the fruitful season is assessed.
"Gracious Father, this day has before me a commitment to some active, physical labor. May Thy servant not allow this responsibility to in any way hinder the spiritual benefits of fellowship with Thee. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."