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Therefore, we should consider 1 Corinthians 3, in regards to 'defiling this Temple'.
1 Corinthians 3:3. for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?
Paul is addressing a church here, not an individual, and his concern is divisions within, that destroy
the fellowship in the Holy Spirit. He then speaks of our works being tried:
14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.
15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
To be clear, the work is the building (edifying) of the body of Christ unto a mature group, where the
Holy Spirit can properly manifest, as discussed later in chapters 12 and 14. So now consider the famous
"defiling the temple" verses.
16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.
Once again, Paul is not addressing an individual, but a group. You are the temple.
[G2075]-este=you in plural, of course.
No man is an island is good literature. No man is a temple is Truth. We are the temple, and all of our
divisions are what defiles that temple. When someone asks "are you pretrib?, amil? do you drink alcohol?
What they are asking is: how do you defile the temple? Not that you cannot have your own opinions about such matters, but many are extreme in defending their views, to which Paul advises:
Romans 14:22. Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.(or disapproves!)
Now we come to the verses in 1 Corinthians 3 that works against both sides of such a carnal disagreement.
18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become
a fool that he may become wise.
19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”;
20 and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”
21 Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours...
If you review this thread and highlight worldly information, facts and figures, many historical and social suppositions in one color, then highlight scriptural references in another color, the facts and figures will probably win out.
What is spiritual is found in chapter 13. When you do something for the love of Christ, your motive will
always be pure. I very rarely drink any alcohol, but not for any of the reasons mentioned earlier from your document. I simply don't give it much thought. When you sanctify yourself to ministering in the Word and prayers in faith toward The Son of God, worldly pleasures fade. You rarely think about these things, until they come up in a discussion among believers. Love for others may impel you towards abstaining from something, but it may require you to do something in moderation.
1 Corinthians 10:
29 “Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience?
30 But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks?
31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
32 Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God,
33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many,
that they may be saved.
I cannot argue against this statement, because I agree that any decision motivated by love for Christ
and His church IS, in fact, the direction given by conscience.
Conscience doesn't just condemn, it also approves.
Talk about a 'pandora's box', sounds more like fear. Perfect love casts out fear.
I am limited on time to reply to everything you said here.
In regards to the parable of the building,
and it's materials in 1 Corinthians 3:
Paul says before the parable, "you are God's building."
So we are the materials that make up the building.
The work is not referring to just any kind of general actions of a believer like good fruit (any kind of good fruit) and evil fruit (sin). The work is referring to those believers we bring to the faith and their eternal status with God (i.e. what kind of building materials are they made up of). The Parable is talking about Paul's work (Which is the Corinthians in this instance).
I believe Paul and the other apostles are a part of the foundation with Christ being the chief cornerstone or the ultimate baseline foundation (Ephesians 2:20), and that Paul's work in the gospel are the result of the Corinthians being initially saved by the gospel. However, Paul is now concerned that his labor in the gospel (concerning them) is now in vain because the Corinthians are now working the sins of strife and envying (Note: Paul condemns the sins of strife and envying when writing to the Galatians (Galatians 5:19-21). Paul says that they which do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God). In Galatians 4:11, Paul was concerned for the Galatians in that they were going back to the Old Law so as to be justified or saved. He was concerned that his labor for the gospel was in vain for the Galatians.
So the parable speaks of how his labor for the gospel (concerning the Corinthians) was now possibly in vain for them, too.
#1. The chief cornerstone foundation = Jesus Christ.
#2. Built as a part of the foundation on top of Christ = The apostles (including Paul, etc.) (Ephesians 2:20).
#3. The actual building materials of the tower or building = God's people (In this instance it would be the Corinthians).
#4. The Corinthians would be like: Wood, hay, and stubble in this particular point in time within their life while they abided in their sins of strife, and envying (Which are sins that will cause a person to not inherit the Kingdom of God).
Wood, hay, and stubble are not materials that could survive a fire.
#5. Paul (the soul winner, and builder of the gospel and builder upon the foundation of Jesus Christ) would be saved through the fire (despite his work - i.e. the Corinthians being his work) would be burned up because of their sins. For Paul then says that if any man defiles the temple, God will destroy them (Meaning: God will destroy the Corinthians if they do not repent of their sins). We are the temple of God. Our bodies are the temples of God. If we as believers defile our temples by sin, God will destroy us (i.e. condemn us).
#2. Built as a part of the foundation on top of Christ = The apostles (including Paul, etc.) (Ephesians 2:20).
#3. The actual building materials of the tower or building = God's people (In this instance it would be the Corinthians).
#4. The Corinthians would be like: Wood, hay, and stubble in this particular point in time within their life while they abided in their sins of strife, and envying (Which are sins that will cause a person to not inherit the Kingdom of God).
Wood, hay, and stubble are not materials that could survive a fire.
#5. Paul (the soul winner, and builder of the gospel and builder upon the foundation of Jesus Christ) would be saved through the fire (despite his work - i.e. the Corinthians being his work) would be burned up because of their sins. For Paul then says that if any man defiles the temple, God will destroy them (Meaning: God will destroy the Corinthians if they do not repent of their sins). We are the temple of God. Our bodies are the temples of God. If we as believers defile our temples by sin, God will destroy us (i.e. condemn us).
This is what I believe the parable is saying. The works of Paul that will be burned are the Corinthians if they do not repent of their sins of strife and envy (1 Corinthians 3:3). The Corinthians at this point in time are not saved and they will be burned up in the fire and destroyed by God if they don't seek forgiveness with the Lord and turn from their sins of strife and envy. Paul, the apostles, or the gospel preacher is the one who will be saved through fire if his work (the Corinthians) is burned up (on the account of their justifying sin). The parable is not talking about how a believer can sin and still be saved as long as they have a belief on Jesus. It's actually teaching the exact opposite of that. One cannot build sin as a work upon the foundation of Jesus Christ. Jesus did not advocate sin, and neither did He teach that a person can continue to sin and still be saved.
Yes, we are initially and foundationally saved by God's grace, but believers cannot justify sin, and they have to be fruitful for their Lord and live holy as a part of the Sanctification Process.
For Hebrews 12:14-15 says,
“14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness,
without which no man shall see the Lord:
15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;”
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