DEC 19

1 Corinthians 3:11-17
Memorise Isaiah 54:11-14
“For other foundation can no man lay”

Now, the foundation of foundations is none other than Jesus Christ as Paul reminds us. To the Corinthian Church, the apostle says, “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are” (1 Corinthians 3:11-17). By heeding Paul’s injunction above, we see that the New Jerusalem, which is built in such jewel-sparkling splendour, abounds with a deep spiritual meaning. And inasmuch as dwellers in the city are perfected saints, do not these precious stones reflect all the Christian virtues and graces that we must exhibit through our Lord Jesus Christ?

Thus Isaiah comforts a restored Israel: “O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires. And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones. And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children. In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee” (Isaiah 54:11-14).

More important than the physical beauty is the spiritual significance and beauty that these gems represent. In describing a place such as the New Jerusalem, God is fulfilling His promise to an afflicted Israel, to show them that He certainly does have such a place prepared for her. It is God’s own city, and will certainly be the most perfect city ever built!

Thought: “How firm a foundation ye saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in His excellent Word.”

Prayer: Father in heaven, help me to build upon the foundation that has been laid by Christ, gold, silver and precious stones.