The Christian's relationship to God is described by several metaphors in the Bible. One is seeing a Christian as a child of God. "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together Romans 8:16ff. As children of God, we then have the right to inherit from our Father.
Paul speaks to the Corinthians in chapter 3 as unto men who were still in great measure carnal (Vs 1-4) as unto babes in Christ - Still weak in grace, though eminent in gifts. 1 Corin 1:15. Paul says "flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God". Men may have much doctrinal knowledge, yet be mere beginners in the life of faith and experience. But it is to be lamented, that many who should walk as Christians, live and act too much like other men. The Corinthians show themselves to be yet carnal, by vain-glorious strife, eagerness for dispute, and readiness to despise and speak evil of others.
Paul condemned any division among them, even though it was in favour of himself, or the dearest friend he had in the world- Apollos. 1 Corin 3:4 .The Word of God is very clear that flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. That means that unrepentant sinners are not Christians. The Christian is not perfect, but does seek to live a repentant lifestyle by the grace of God. On the other hand, as Ken’s post showed us, there are plenty of “Christian’ leaders out there who want to open wide the narrow gate and allow the unrepentant into God’s Kingdom. Let us look at a passage that teaches the opposite.
Paul provides education about ministers whom the Corinthian contend; Corin 3: 5-9, (1) They should not be put in place of God, (2) The one who plants and the one who waters work (employed) by one master, (3) They work together with God, in promoting the purposes of his glory – Ephesians 4:11
If ever a church needed strong leadership, it was the church at Corinth, which was beset by division and all kinds of problems. Yet Paul's first letter to them is not directed primarily to the leaders, but to the whole community. He does address qualities of leadership in chapters 3 and 4. He stresses their servant nature and that it is God's field and building they are working in (3:5-9). They will be tested at the judgment as to how well they have built on the only legitimate foundation, Jesus Christ (3:10-17). He mentions the stewardship nature of leadership (4:1-5) As we shall see next study, and the danger of putting leaders on a pedestal (4:6, 7).
The apostle was a wise master-builder; the grace of God made him such. 1 Corin3: 10- 15. Let every man take heed; that all his doctrines may be consistent with the foundation. There may be bad building on a good foundation. Paul warns joining a merely human (See: 1 Corin 3:5) or a carnal life with a Divine faith.
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corin 3:11; Who, in his person and offices, is the firm, immovable Rock of Ages, every way sufficient to bear all the weight that God himself, or the sinner, when he believes, can lay upon him. Immovable Rock- Matt 7:24-27.
1. Let us consider the tendency of our undertakings, compare them with God's word, and judge ourselves, that we be not judged of the Lord
1 Corin 3: 16 & 17 -it appears that the false teachers among the Corinthians taught unholy doctrines. Such teaching tended to corrupt, to pollute, and destroy the building. Most of these false teachers were Greeks (See Greek Philosophy) For all the boasted wisdom of the world is mere foolishness in the sight of God. Proverbs 19:3.Not only while they think they are acting wisely, but by their very wisdom, which itself is their snare, and the occasion of their destruction- Job 5:13. All this should teach us to be humble, and make us willing to be taught of God, so as not to be led away, by pretences to human wisdom and skill, from the simple truths revealed by Christ. 1 Corinthian 1:18- 31.
He expects the ordinary church members to be mature enough to sort out their own problems and gives plenty of guidelines for doing so. His goal is for a community where everyone, with whatever gift they may have been given, is a fully functioning member. Paul's emphasis is on the common or shared responsibility of all for the life of the church, not with the responsibility of leadership, but of all. Priesthood of all believers.