Life as a Structure.
I. There is a foundation laid. The idea couched in this figure is the radical idea, which runs through the whole of Scripture, that something must be done out of and apart from the man, to enable him even to begin his proper life before God. Jesus Christ is the foundation. We cannot take these words too literally. The foundation of all this world's hopes, in the plan of God and of every man's salvation, is Jesus Christ Himself, the personal historical Christ, who was born in Bethlehem and lived in Nazareth and died on Calvary. This is the stone which was rejected of the builders, but which God has made the head of the corner. In contending for the literal meaning we do not exclude the doctrinal. All true doctrinal meanings are included. The deity, the humanity, the vicariousness, the righteousness, the love, the sorrow, tears and blood, and death and resurrection and victorious ascent "through all heavens to fill all things." All these things, with many besides, are included in the simple historical yet grand and joyful language, "Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ."
II. There is a building to be raised. A foundation without a building is a solecism, a name. One place of the world is just as much a foundation as another, unless you see a rising structure. The structure in this case is to be raised by the man. He maybuild a house; he oughtto build a temple. The Apostle seems to refer to ordinary houses when he speaks of "wood, hay, stubble." These are the materials used for common houses. Each man's life and soul ought to be a temple of God nothing less. Surely a noble calling that each of us believing in Christ, is required and expected and will be helped of God in building up his whole existence into a living temple for the habitation of God through the Spirit!
III. There is a time given to finish the work. And when the limit of that time shall come, not one stone more can be laid by the builder, not one touch more given to the edifice in any of its parts before the trial. The Master will never tell us when our work is to end and its recompense is to come. But He tells us this, that we are building day by day. Let us see that we live for Christ, that we grow into His image, and that we work and work in the moral construction of our life which angels will crown and God will bless.
IV. "The fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is." Let us remember that nothing in us, pertaining to the heart or life or character, which is truly Christian, can fall in those flames at last. All Christian principles and all Christian works are indestructible. He whom you serve will gather up all the fragments, so that nothing shall be lost. He is gathering them day by day, and building them compactly together against the day of trial. And when that day shall come, when its fires shall be lighted, when what is inflammable in our lives shall catch and kindle at the first touch of the flame, we shall rejoice with an awful joy as we behold emerging from those fires that fair structure which will be incorruptible, undefiled, and which will never fade away.
A. Raleigh, Quiet Resting Places,p. 272.
References: 1 Corinthians 3:12. Homilist,vol. ii., p. 355; Clergyman's Magazine,vol. iii., p. 80. 1 Corinthians 3:11-15. R. Davey, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xi., p. 262; vol. xxv., p. 84.