…and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Summary: Sometimes we make simple things complicated by focusing on the wrong thing. Paul explains the foundation for Peter’s seven step plan. The goal is to honor our Lord in this life and the next.
In Paul’s first letter to the church at Corinth, he begins by addressing divisions that have formed in the church. The church has several prominent leaders. Instead of focusing on Christ in their teachings, the people of Corinth focused on the differences.
The situation was not unlike arguments over Bible translations today. Some people like one translation better than another. Is this something to argue about? It is a fact that no translation can convey exactly the context and meaning of the original language. There are similarities between words, otherwise, we would have no translations at all. Yet, the nature of a translation is that, at best, it is only an approximation of the original language.
With dozens of different translations to choose from in the English language, we are blessed with the work of many hands and minds, all trying to help us understand God’s Word for us. How we read these translations depends on whether we are looking for differences or similarities. What is the thought behind the words? That is what we need to focus on and open our hearts to.
In Corinth, people had lost sight of the message. They were too busy critiquing each individual tree to see the forest. Paul responds by painting a picture of what is going on using the metaphor of a builder.
The message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the foundation laid by Paul. Each of us builds on that foundation by the choices we make and the things we say and do. Some people build well. They use good materials and what they build survives the test of fire as a monument to their work for the Lord. Others, perhaps not so wise, build things that do not survive. Yet, by the power of Jesus Christ, they are still saved. (1 Corinthians 3:10-15)
Peter is talking about how to build something that will survive the test of fire that Paul describes. If we have built with goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, affection, and love, what we build will stand.
We are not talking here about physical buildings. No permits or inspections are required to build on Paul’s foundation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The buildings we are talking about are structures like reputation and relationships. Are you known for the good things you do? Is your knowledge of Jesus self-evident? Do you exercise self-control and perseverance in the face of conflict?
These are the things that our Lord desires for us. Simply put, that we love God above all else, and our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22: 37-40). Then “you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Application: Only build on the foundation of faith in Jesus. Make every effort to build well.
Food for Thought: If the eternal kingdom of God were the end zone in a football field and a “rich welcome” is given to those who make a touchdown, how would you expect the person making the touchdown to act?
Good morning, hope everyone scores a touchdown
Nice, JRM! Thank you!
09-27-2021, 2 Peter 1:11, If the eternal kingdom of God were the end zone in a football field and a “rich welcome” is given to those who make a touchdown, how would you expect the person making the touchdown to act?
Quietly kneel before our Lord Jesus Christ. Bow my head and present the ball to Him. Without Him, I can do nothing.
Fortunately, God has already made this resource available to us. By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. 2 Peter 1:3-4
When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
Ephesians 3:14-20
Ron,
I like the imagery. After all, it really is His ball that drags us across the finish line. The trick is to be a willing carrier of the ball while being carried by it. All the while, knowing that the Lord is the one doing the work.
Hopefully with humility, thanksgiving and joy. And I am with Rob, the more in the end zone the better.
Thank you, Rich.
I am pretty sure the end zone will be full. 🙂
“So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.” (Matthew 22:10)