I dearly love the letters Paul wrote that are presented in the bible. We heard a short piece from this letter, just 9 verses, but like the letter as a whole they not only pack a real punch in their message, they are relevant to us now.
To understand a bit of background, Paul is writing to the Christians in the city of Corinth. They are struggling with the living the life in Christ. Like many other bustling Roman towns, sin was no stranger. They were surrounded by corruption, and sins of the flesh, the pressure on them must have been immense. Like many Christians today whilst they were born again, they no doubt found themselves tempted by and possibly falling into sinful ways; jealously, slander, greed, lust and many more. Paul’s letter offers the Christians support in their following Christ. It seeks to provide solutions to how they might live a life for Christ, of Christ among such sin.
Jumping to chapter 3, Paul is speaking to them Corinthian Christians as a parent might speak to their children. He rebukes them, but not as harsh as he is some of his other letters.
In verse 1 he calls them out as children “I could not address you as spiritual, but as worldly, mere infants in Christ. Notice the last 2 words though “in Christ”. He acknowledges their life in Christ. They have accepted Jesus into their lives, they have taken the Holy Spirit into themselves. But yet he tells them he cannot speak to them spiritually.
Us, as Christians, we are all on a journey through life with Christ, from our early memories perhaps in Sunday School, learning about the Gospel, of Jesus healing the sick, the parable of the good Samaritan, the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross. We hear the well know messages every year. At Christmas where we celebrate his birth, and Easter where we celebrate his death and ascension into heaven. But as children we hear and are taught the same stories, the same gospels as the most learned theologian might teach students at college, or write about in the most complex of books. We all hear the same truth, so what’s the difference. Paul makes it so clear. “I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it.” As early Christians, though grown men and women, they were not ready to consume such a rich meal. Paul had to teach them and guide them as children, as they matured and grew as children of Christ, they could start to taste solid foods. Just as we grow and mature, we understand the complexities of God’s word.
Paul’s explanation of where they have gone wrong is a powerful message that can be related to our times. He challenges those who bicker, quarrelling about whom they follow, “Apollos” “Paul”. He is rebuking them because they are not Christ centric. Why are they so consumed by whom they follow?
Indeed Paul very quickly describes himself, as a servant, not as a master. The Christians of Corinth came to believe through Paula and Apollos, not to follow them. Paul says about himself and Apollos, as nothing, God who makes things grow.
As Paul eloquently puts it, he planted the seed in them. Through Paul’s early evangelism he started foundling churchs; Corinth was no exception, there were many more across the region he started. As Paul moved on, Apollos watered this early church. He nurtured it, as a carful gardener would tend and water plants he cares for. But even the most expert gardener cannot force the plants to grow. There is an external force that requires this…God grow….God was and is the driving force behind the growth, the spiritual growth within those early Christians and Christians today.
And where is God’s garden, where are his beautiful plants, his lush and green fields, his house?
Us. You, me, all of us.
In verse 9 “..you are God’s field. God’s building”.
CS Lewis once wrote very beautifully of how God’s presence in our lives literally transforms us. We are like buildings, and with God coming into our lives we find that over time he is fixing the basics of our house, the drains, the doors, windows, but then as time moves on we see he is ripping apart our house, destroying rooms, putting in new structures, what is he up to? He is building a new home, rather than the small house you thought, he is making a palace of you…he intends to live in it.
Amen
Let us pray.
Lord God, we thank you for your teaching, your word. As children we trust and had faith that you will give us and teach us what we are capable to understand. As you walk with us you are ever present, to help us, guide us, to rebuke us when we go astray. With a loving embrace you forgive us when we turn to you. Lord we ask that you come live with us, within us, your garden, your building.
Amen.
