1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23 (NRSV)
Read 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23 on biblegateway.com
Verse 10According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it.
Verse 11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ.
Verse 16Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? Verse 17If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.
Verse 18Do not deceive yourselves. If you think that you are wise in this age, you should become fools so that you may become wise. Verse 19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their craftiness," Verse 20and again, "The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile."
Verse 21So let no one boast about human leaders. For all things are yours, Verse 22whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future-all belong to you, Verse 23and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.
Devotion
As if he were a home builder, Paul reminds the young church of Corinth that a building can only be as good as its foundation. Rather than shifting sands, the home must be built on the rock. According to the world's standards, there would be little disagreement of that fact. Yet, as we read further, we realize the world's approach to life and God's approach parts ways. Those considered wise according to the world's standards might find themselves as fools; those considered strong are finally weak.
As this relatively long season of Epiphany draws to a close, may God's word enlighten us in order that we might be able to distinguish between what is wise and what is foolish; what is weak and what is strong. On Christ the sold rock we stand.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, by the power of your Holy Spirit, help us to act according to your wisdom and not that of the world. Give us strength to remain faithful to your will and not our own. Amen