Careful how we build

  • Welcome to Christian Forums, a Christian Forum that recognizes that all Christians are a work in progress.

    You will need to register to be able to join in fellowship with Christians all over the world.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

Not me

Well-Known Member
May 8, 2019
1,696
1,945
113
66
California, Ca.
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
1 Corinthians 3:13 (NASB)
each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work.

We are admonished to be careful how we build. For in the day of judgment all things will be revealed. Whether what we brought forth was in the strength of the self life or whether it was done in God. For God is not mocked we do reap what we sow, good or bad, flesh or Spirit., life or death, all being the same truth just using different words. For these are the only two categories that all things will be judged against.

Christ or self.

If self be the doer of the things, the works will be burnt up, the believer themselves will be saved, but as it were through fire. But all of their works will have come to nothing. For the day will show it for what it was, whether it was done in Christ or in self.

If on the other hand, if Christ was the doer of the work in and through the believer, their works will last through the fire, they and their works will be saved and their reward follows them. So we are admonished to be careful how we build.

“For it matters not the doing, only who’s doing the doing.”

That this truth would be made real in our lives. Our walks with God would take on a new and vibrant urgency, for we would see the need for fruit that will remain, and be true fruit of Christ being manifested and living His life in and through us. For nothing else is Christianity but the life of Christ being manifested in a life. All else is the life of self.

All believers that are born again are saved, but how and with what they build is the issue being discussed.

So, how can one be sure they are building correctly?

Scripture teaches,

“the Spirit teaches all things”

The Spirit will always direct one to Christ, and by virtue of that. their relationship with this Christ, for in this relationship can and will they be taught all things.

For it all comes down to a believer’s personal relationship with Christ. Either that relationship is growing or it is not. All the scripture study or memorizing of this or that doctrine has it’s place, and is necessary and has a certain value, but it is not the believers relationship with Christ. For it made feed the believers relationship, but it is not the standard of measurement of that relationship.

For the believers personal relationship with Christ there is no substitute. It is there in the heart between the believer and their Creator, or it is not. So to encourage our relationship with Christ is the all, that one can do to help another to Christ. We can point and say to Christ we need to go, but each and every believer needs to make that walk to Christ for themselves. For our Savior is a personal one and to the degree and depths our relationship with Him is, is to that degree we are pleasing to Him.

Blessings to all that would want to know the simple truth that it is their personal relationship with Christ that is their all in all.

For as Paul said;

“judge me only according to the Christ you see in me.”

(my paraphrase)

For he knew that only the Christ that was really and truly formed in him would last and was of value.

Much love in Christ, Not me
 
Last edited:

FHII

Well-Known Member
Apr 9, 2011
4,833
2,494
113
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
For it all comes down to a believer’s personal relationship with Christ. Either that relationship is growing or it is not. All the scripture study or memorizing of this or that doctrine has it’s place, and is necessary and has a certain value, but it is not the believers relationship with Christ. For it made feed the believers relationship, but it is not the standard of measurement of that relationship.
I am not sure I agree or disagree. I suspect we will agree...

It is true, the relationship with Christ is the bottom line. But you can't have a relationship without studying scripture and having proper doctrine.

How are you going to have a relationship with Jesus if you don't know and understand what he is looking for? You simply can't. You have to get to know him and what he liked and disliked.

Now, implementing it is the next step. So, that I agree with you on. You must follow his directions. Simply knowing them is not enough. But on the other hand, you can't follow them if you don't know them.

In that sense,. I don't see as one as more important than the other. If you know them and don't follow them, you are in trouble. If you follow Jesus without knowing him, you aren't following him at all.

Yes, the Holy Spirit teaches and guides us in all things, but we don't get to pick how it comes. Perhaps he does send visions, dreams and the such. But two of the biggest ways was through a teacher and the Bible
 
  • Like
Reactions: GodsGrace

Not me

Well-Known Member
May 8, 2019
1,696
1,945
113
66
California, Ca.
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
It is The Lord that is The Master Builder. All we need do is yield unto Him. Whatever His puts His hand to, prospers and grows.

Yes!

Those awesome words!

“yield to Him”

That me, you, all of us, might learn by experience the awesomeness that there is in those three words.

For like you said, He is the Master Builder and we are His workmanship and all He asks is that we “yield to Him”.

Many blessings,

Much love in Christ, Not me
 
  • Like
Reactions: Helen and GTW27

Not me

Well-Known Member
May 8, 2019
1,696
1,945
113
66
California, Ca.
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
I am not sure I agree or disagree. I suspect we will agree...

It is true, the relationship with Christ is the bottom line. But you can't have a relationship without studying scripture and having proper doctrine.

How are you going to have a relationship with Jesus if you don't know and understand what he is looking for? You simply can't. You have to get to know him and what he liked and disliked.

Now, implementing it is the next step. So, that I agree with you on. You must follow his directions. Simply knowing them is not enough. But on the other hand, you can't follow them if you don't know them.

In that sense,. I don't see as one as more important than the other. If you know them and don't follow them, you are in trouble. If you follow Jesus without knowing him, you aren't following him at all.

Yes, the Holy Spirit teaches and guides us in all things, but we don't get to pick how it comes. Perhaps he does send visions, dreams and the such. But two of the biggest ways was through a teacher and the Bible

Blessings as we grow, for growing in Christ is the issue, and as long as today, there is more than yesterday and Lord willing tomorrow more still. He will be glorified in and by the life that would be His.

Much love in Christ, Not me
 

FHII

Well-Known Member
Apr 9, 2011
4,833
2,494
113
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Blessings as we grow, for growing in Christ is the issue, and as long as today, there is more than yesterday and Lord willing tomorrow more still. He will be glorified in and by the life that would be His.

Much love in Christ, Not me
Well that's nice and all. But you really didn't say anything.
 

marks

Well-Known Member
Oct 10, 2018
33,156
21,420
113
SoCal USA
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
That this truth would be made real in our lives. Our walks with God would take on a new and vibrant urgency, for we would see the need for fruit that will remain, and be true fruit of Christ being manifested and living His life in and through us. For nothing else is Christianity but the life of Christ being manifested in a life. All else is the life of self.

Amen!

I recommend Ecclesiastes every day for a couple of months for those who would think otherwise.

Much love!
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Not me

Not me

Well-Known Member
May 8, 2019
1,696
1,945
113
66
California, Ca.
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Amen!

I recomment Ecclesiastes every day for a couple of months for those who would think otherwise.

Much love!

Hello and yes;

Once it is seen that self is all the evil that we possess . Than the denying the self life is that that causes all growth.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am starting to be convinced that the expression in scripture of “ till the Morning Star arises in your heart”. Is meant to portray the overwhelming light, the. overwhelming freedom and joy and virtually all good things that happens when one begins to see and understand what our deaths in Christ consists of... Than the words;

To the degree one apprehends their death in Christ to that degree can and will they walk in newness of life.

Will have such a ring of truth, the heart will sit in stunned silence at the joy the truth produces.

To the increase of the understanding, of our deaths in Christ.

Blessings,

Much love in Christ, Not me
 
  • Like
Reactions: marks

Hope in God

Well-Known Member
May 29, 2019
213
303
63
TAMPA
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Without a doubt, our reward is based on our cooperation with the work of sanctification in our lives. The more we cooperate as the Lord works in us to will and to do of His good pleasure, and are obedient to His leading, the more reward we will procure. Even those who turn many to righteousness will gain special rewards. They shall shine as the firmament, whatever that truly means.

At the same time, we cannot say that it is our working, our own hands that changed us inwardly, for except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. It is merely our cooperation that is desired which will bring to us reward and placement in the kingdom.

Is there a building that we do? Sure, but not with wood, hay or stubble, but rather gold and precious stones. So it is important to be sitting under sound doctrine and not the shallow commandments of men.
 

Not me

Well-Known Member
May 8, 2019
1,696
1,945
113
66
California, Ca.
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Without a doubt, our reward is based on our cooperation with the work of sanctification in our lives. The more we cooperate as the Lord works in us to will and to do of His good pleasure, and are obedient to His leading, the more reward we will procure. Even those who turn many to righteousness will gain special rewards. They shall shine as the firmament, whatever that truly means.

At the same time, we cannot say that it is our working, our own hands that changed us inwardly, for except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. It is merely our cooperation that is desired which will bring to us reward and placement in the kingdom.

Is there a building that we do? Sure, but not with wood, hay or stubble, but rather gold and precious stones. So it is important to be sitting under sound doctrine and not the shallow commandments of men.

Good stuff!

Absolutely! Correct understanding of scripture is so vitally important.

I’m of the mind, that the closer we get to Christ, the better our understanding will be.

Blessings,

Much love in Christ, Not me
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hope in God

Nancy

Well-Known Member
Apr 30, 2018
16,761
25,324
113
Buffalo, Ny
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
1 Corinthians 3:13 (NASB)
each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work.

We are admonished to be careful how we build. For in the day of judgment all things will be revealed. Whether what we brought forth was in the strength of the self life or whether it was done in God. For God is not mocked we do reap what we sow, good or bad, flesh or Spirit., life or death, all being the same truth just using different words. For these are the only two categories that all things will be judged against.

Christ or self.

If self be the doer of the things, the works will be burnt up, the believer themselves will be saved, but as it were through fire. But all of their works will have come to nothing. For the day will show it for what it was, whether it was done in Christ or in self.

If on the other hand, if Christ was the doer of the work in and through the believer, their works will last through the fire, they and their works will be saved and their reward follows them. So we are admonished to be careful how we build.

“For it matters not the doing, only who’s doing the doing.”

That this truth would be made real in our lives. Our walks with God would take on a new and vibrant urgency, for we would see the need for fruit that will remain, and be true fruit of Christ being manifested and living His life in and through us. For nothing else is Christianity but the life of Christ being manifested in a life. All else is the life of self.

All believers that are born again are saved, but how and with what they build is the issue being discussed.

So, how can one be sure they are building correctly?

Scripture teaches,

“the Spirit teaches all thins”

The Spirit will always direct one to Christ, and by virtue of that. their relationship with this Christ, for in this relationship can and will they be taught all things.

For it all comes down to a believer’s personal relationship with Christ. Either that relationship is growing or it is not. All the scripture study or memorizing of this or that doctrine has it’s place, and is necessary and has a certain value, but it is not the believers relationship with Christ. For it made feed the believers relationship, but it is not the standard of measurement of that relationship.

For the believers personal relationship with Christ there is no substitute. It is there in the heart between the believer and their Creator, or it is not. So to encourage our relationship with Christ is the all, that one can do to help another to Christ. We can point and say to Christ we need to go, but each and every believer needs to make that walk to Christ for themselves. For our Savior is a personal one and to the degree and depths our relationship with Him is, is to that degree we are pleasing to Him.

Blessings to all that would want to know the simple truth that it is their personal relationship with Christ that is their all in all.

For as Paul said;

“judge me only according to the Christ you see in me.”

(my paraphrase)

For he knew that only the Christ that was really and truly formed in him would last and was of value.

Much love in Christ, Not me

Hi JP!
Great post.

"If self be the doer of the things, the works will be burnt up, the believer themselves will be saved, but as it were through fire."
The only way that I am aware of as to how to separate works of the Spirit and works of the flesh is that if doing something for someone in need is done cheerfully...what say you? Are there other ways to distinguish between the two?
“the Spirit teaches all thins”
You mean Girl Scout Thin Mints??!! :D
 
  • Like
Reactions: Not me

marks

Well-Known Member
Oct 10, 2018
33,156
21,420
113
SoCal USA
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
You guys are a joy to me!

To he who overcomes I will give the morning star . . .

I am the root and offspring of David, the bright and morning star . . .

. . . and we have a more sure word of prophecy . . . as a light that shines in a dark place . . . til the morning star rises in your hearts . . .

. . . til Christ be formed within you . . .

Much love!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nancy and Not me

Ezra

Well-Known Member
Dec 27, 2018
2,564
1,314
113
62
Missouri
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
wood hay stubble would be the material /self/flesh to build upon.. gold silver precious stone is material that has been proven through the fire and will last . no other foundation but that which has already been laid. Jesus said to peter up on this rock..(thou art the Christ ) the Divine revelation the spiritual knowledge ..so yes let us be wise master builders . quality not quantity
 

Ezra

Well-Known Member
Dec 27, 2018
2,564
1,314
113
62
Missouri
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
“the Spirit teaches all thins”
the key !!!
Zechariah 4:6

“Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.”
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nancy

Not me

Well-Known Member
May 8, 2019
1,696
1,945
113
66
California, Ca.
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Hi JP!
Great post.

"If self be the doer of the things, the works will be burnt up, the believer themselves will be saved, but as it were through fire."
The only way that I am aware of as to how to separate works of the Spirit and works of the flesh is that if doing something for someone in need is done cheerfully...what say you? Are there other ways to distinguish between the two?
“the Spirit teaches all thins”
You mean Girl Scout Thin Mints??!! :D

Absolutely, you didn’t know the Spirit likes Girl Scout cookies? Lol (thanks for bringing it to my attention) :)

To the larger question;

Flesh vs Spirit

Scripture says;

“that which is not of faith is sin”

for the sake of understanding;

“that which is not of faith is self”

For self and sin in the believer are the same. If you have no self you have no sin. For self is all the evil that a believer possesses. If self were to die the believer could walk in newness of life.

(I ask you to prayerfully consider what I have said and I’m going to say. Take it before God and ask Him the yea or the nay.)

The self-life is the life you were given at birth. It was the fall into the life of this world that was our separation from God. Therefore a giving up the life of this world is necessary to bring us back to God. Jesus accomplished this by taking us to death with Him on the cross. “when Jesus died we died”.

Scripture says;

“the just shall live by faith”

Everything that comes from God to the believer comes through the faith of the heart of the believer.,

There seems to be great controversy over what the words “in the Spirit” are meant to portray. But it need not be, for scripture itself tells us in the words;

“Having begun in the Spirit”

So by this we see that whatever the Galatians did at first was “in the Spirit”.

What was it the Galatians did at first?

They had faith.

So walking in faith towards God is walking in the Spirit towards God.

Therefore if you are not walking in the faith of your heart turned toward God you are walking in the flesh. And the works of the flesh you will produce whether they have a secular or religious cloak.

For the truth remains;

“that which is not of faith is sin (self)”

Hope it helps.

Blessings,

Much love in Christ, Not me


You guys are a joy to me!

To he who overcomes I will give the morning star . . .

I am the root and offspring of David, the bright and morning star . . .

. . . and we have a more sure word of prophecy . . . as a light that shines in a dark place . . . til the morning star rises in your hearts . . .

. . . til Christ be formed within you . . .

Much love!

I see Christ in you too.

Blessings,

Much love in Christ, Not me
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nancy and marks

marks

Well-Known Member
Oct 10, 2018
33,156
21,420
113
SoCal USA
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Therefore if you are not walking in the faith of your heart turned toward God you are walking in the flesh. And the works of the flesh you will produce whether they have a secular or religious cloak.
I think this is a very important thing to understand.

We do not need anything more than what we have in Christ right now, in who we are being God's spirit children, to walk in the Spirit at any moment in any day, anything more than to believe that this is already ours.

I know there are those who talk about a "second benefit", "latter rain", some additional grace from God, to empower us to walk in Christ, but the net result is to tell people, "You haven't got what it takes. You need that 'extra boost'. Hope ya get it!"

Walking with faith in your heart towards God IS walking in the Spirit. The only thing that takes us away from that is when trials come we look at the waves and start to sink. But it is by Faith in Jesus we have access into the grace in which we stand.

This is now, this is anyone, if you are born again.

Much love!
Mark
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nancy and Not me

Not me

Well-Known Member
May 8, 2019
1,696
1,945
113
66
California, Ca.
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
I think this is a very important thing to understand.

We do not need anything more than what we have in Christ right now, in who we are being God's spirit children, to walk in the Spirit at any moment in any day, anything more than to believe that this is already ours.

I know there are those who talk about a "second benefit", "latter rain", some additional grace from God, to empower us to walk in Christ, but the net result is to tell people, "You haven't got what it takes. You need that 'extra boost'. Hope ya get it!"

Walking with faith in your heart towards God IS walking in the Spirit. The only thing that takes us away from that is when trials come we look at the waves and start to sink. But it is by Faith in Jesus we have access into the grace in which we stand.

This is now, this is anyone, if you are born again.

Much love!
Mark

Yes! Absolutely!

God has given Christ to mankind, you can have as much or as little of Him as your heart desires.

For God is no respecter of persons, the “offices” might be different but the gift of Christ is the same.

Keep pressing in, for great is your reward.

Blessings,

Much love in Christ, Not me

Ps, the term second blessing has been misconstrued, for any increase in Christ, is just a deeper understanding of the Mystery of Christ in us.
 

GodsGrace

Well-Known Member
Aug 29, 2017
10,727
5,716
113
Tuscany
Faith
Christian
Country
Italy
1 Corinthians 3:13 (NASB)
each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work.

We are admonished to be careful how we build. For in the day of judgment all things will be revealed. Whether what we brought forth was in the strength of the self life or whether it was done in God. For God is not mocked we do reap what we sow, good or bad, flesh or Spirit., life or death, all being the same truth just using different words. For these are the only two categories that all things will be judged against.

Christ or self.

If self be the doer of the things, the works will be burnt up, the believer themselves will be saved, but as it were through fire. But all of their works will have come to nothing. For the day will show it for what it was, whether it was done in Christ or in self.

If on the other hand, if Christ was the doer of the work in and through the believer, their works will last through the fire, they and their works will be saved and their reward follows them. So we are admonished to be careful how we build.

“For it matters not the doing, only who’s doing the doing.”

That this truth would be made real in our lives. Our walks with God would take on a new and vibrant urgency, for we would see the need for fruit that will remain, and be true fruit of Christ being manifested and living His life in and through us. For nothing else is Christianity but the life of Christ being manifested in a life. All else is the life of self.

All believers that are born again are saved, but how and with what they build is the issue being discussed.

So, how can one be sure they are building correctly?

Scripture teaches,

“the Spirit teaches all things”

The Spirit will always direct one to Christ, and by virtue of that. their relationship with this Christ, for in this relationship can and will they be taught all things.

For it all comes down to a believer’s personal relationship with Christ. Either that relationship is growing or it is not. All the scripture study or memorizing of this or that doctrine has it’s place, and is necessary and has a certain value, but it is not the believers relationship with Christ. For it made feed the believers relationship, but it is not the standard of measurement of that relationship.

For the believers personal relationship with Christ there is no substitute. It is there in the heart between the believer and their Creator, or it is not. So to encourage our relationship with Christ is the all, that one can do to help another to Christ. We can point and say to Christ we need to go, but each and every believer needs to make that walk to Christ for themselves. For our Savior is a personal one and to the degree and depths our relationship with Him is, is to that degree we are pleasing to Him.

Blessings to all that would want to know the simple truth that it is their personal relationship with Christ that is their all in all.

For as Paul said;

“judge me only according to the Christ you see in me.”

(my paraphrase)

For he knew that only the Christ that was really and truly formed in him would last and was of value.

Much love in Christ, Not me
1 Corinthians 3:1-15
is not speaking about OUR WORKS,,,
it's speaking about the works of those who teach us.
Those who build on the foundation which is Christ...
as taught by Paul and Apollos.