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INSTRUCTIONS TO THOSE WHO BUILD UPON THE TRUE FOUNDATION
IN our natural state, we follow the dictates of our own will, without consulting the honour of our God. Even after we are converted to God, there yet remains within us a proneness to follow our own inclinations, except as Divine grace counteracts that propensity, and prevails against it. In the Corinthian Church there were many awful proofs of this fact. The irregularities which obtained amongst them, were both numerous and deeply reprehensible. A party-spirit in particular created very grievous dissensions among them. St. Paul, reproving their unbecoming conduct, reminds both the preachers who fomented such divisions, and the people who were drawn aside by them, that their eternal happiness would be advanced or diminished in proportion as they cultivated or neglected a Christian temper; and that, if they would be approved of their God in the day of judgment, they must not only build on the right foundation, but raise upon it a superstructure that should be worthy of it.
To elucidate the words before us, we shall shew,
I. What is that superstructure which we ought to raise upon the true foundation—
Among the persons who rely on Christ as their only hope, there is a great diversity both of sentiment and action. This is intimated by the different images under which their conduct is represented in the text.
There are some whose actions may be compared to “wood, and hay, and stubble”—
[There were in the apostolic age two sets of teachers, who occasioned much strife and dissension in the different churches; namely, those who contended for the observance of the Mosaic ritual, and those who introduced into religion the dogmas of philosophy — — — Persons of similar dispositions and sentiments have infested the Church in every age. Some are distracting the minds of those around them with subtle questions and unedifying disputes about doctrines; others are magnifying the external forms of Church-government, as if they were of equal importance with the most fundamental articles of our faith; and others are bringing forward some fond conceits, which, from a desire of popularity and distinction, they propagate with all their might — — — How justly the superstructure which these men raise, may be compared to “wood, and hay, and stubble,” appears from the natural tendency, and universal effect, of their exertions: for, instead of edifying the Church in faith and love, their doctrines uniformly lead to error—to contention—to bondage. Hence it is that St. Paul studiously dissuaded all ministers from engaging in such unprofitable disputes, and all Christians from being led astray by them [Note: He bids us beware of the subtilties of philosophy, on the one hand, Col_2:8. 1Ti_4:7; 1Ti_6:20. 2Ti_2:16; 2Ti_2:23 and of the bigotry of superstition on the other, 1Ti_1:3-4. Tit_3:9.] — — —]
But those actions which we ought to be performing, may rather be compared to “gold, and silver, and precious stones”—
[As the Apostles themselves were, so have many in all successive ages been, intent on cultivating, both in themselves and others, all the graces of the Spirit. It has been their ambition, whilst they have founded all their hopes on Christ, to shew, by the holiness of their lives, that the Gospel is indeed “a doctrine according to godliness” — — — Now such a superstructure does indeed resemble the materials here mentioned; for it is valuable in itself—suitable to the foundation—ornamental to the edifice—and worthy of the Divine Inhabitant. Such is the superstructure which we all should raise: and it is the orderly accumulation of such materials as these, which assimilates the Church to that temple wherein God visibly resided [Note: 1Ch_29:2; 1Ch_29:7-8.], or rather, to that more glorious temple wherein he dwells invisible to mortal eyes [Note: Rev_21:18-19.].]
That we may be stimulated to care and diligence in these things, let us consider,
II. The importance of erecting such an edifice as will be approved of by God—
This is set forth by the Apostle in very awful and appropriate terms:
1. Our works will all be tried as by fire—
[In that day when God shall judge the world, “he will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the most secret counsels of our hearts.” As the Judaizing teachers of old, or the philosophical reasoners, conceived that they were actuated solely by a regard for truth, while they were in reality instigated by pride and bigotry; so the contentious disputers about doubtful points of doctrine, or indifferent matters in Church-government, little think “what spirit they are of.” But, as fire tries the metals, and discovers the dross that is in them; so will that fiery trial discover the unworthy mixtures with which our most specious actions were debased. It is to no purpose therefore to deceive ourselves; for we shall most assuredly be undeceived in that solemn day, when “the fire shall try every man’s work, of what sort it is.”]
2. The works that are approved will add to our eternal happiness—
[Every grace which we exercise, is pleasing and acceptable to God. “A meek and quiet spirit,” and consequently every other holy disposition, “is in the sight of God an ornament of great price.” It is the mind, which God regards. A contrite sigh, a grateful aspiration, an adoring look, are of more value in his eyes than all the zeal or subtilty which ingenious disputants or pharisaic bigots can exercise. Nor shall a pious thought or desire pass unnoticed or unrewarded.]
3. The works which are disapproved will detract from our felicity—
[It is supposed that we unfeignedly build upon the right foundation; and that this will secure our acceptance with God. But the degree of our happiness will depend entirely on the superstructure which we raise. We may suffer loss in heaven, even though we should not suffer the loss of heaven. Known deliberate sins will rob us of heaven itself: and mistaken services, so far from increasing our reward, will diminish it. The person who has “added grace to grace with holy zeal and diligence, will have an entrance ministered unto him abundantly into the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour [Note: 2Pe_1:5-11.].” On the other hand, they whose spirit is less agreeable to the mind of God, will be saved only “as brands plucked out of the burning.” Wherein the precise difference will consist, we do not know. It is sufficient that we are informed it does exist, and will certainly he manifest at the last day. Some “will suffer loss,” and others “receive a full reward.” Surely this consideration may well make us careful to regulate our minds by the sacred oracles, and to “walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing.”]
Address—
1. Let us look well to our foundation—
[It is obvious that, if they who build on the right foundation may be “scarcely saved,” they who are not fixed on that, cannot be saved at all. Let us remember then that Christ is the only foundation of our hopes, and that we must depend solely on the merit of his blood and righteousness [Note: ver. 11. with Isa_28:16.]. Every other hope must be renounced: and we must say with the Church of old, “In the Lord alone have I righteousness and strength.”]
2. Let us look well to our superstructure—
[The caution in the text clearly proves, that persons, upright in the main, are yet liable to err, and to be heaping up rubbish for the fire while they fancy that they are doing God service [Note: It is often said, ‘These persons are pious; and therefore God will not let them be deceived.’ The text gives a complete answer to this.]. Let us therefore take heed to our ways, and “take heed to our spirit.” Let us not only endeavour to live and act for God, but to do every thing from such motives, and in such a manner, as shall he approved by him in the day of judgment.]