Page 65 - Job

Reading JOB to Know God

Chapter 6 Strong Warnings

The fourth warning can be summarized in these words. Avoid a
superstructural presentation of truth. A superstructure refers to that which
is built upon something else. A house is the superstructure built on the
foundation. You can have a wonderfully strong and solid foundation yet
build a lopsided, weak and sloppy house on it. 1 Corinthians 3:10-15
“According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a master
builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But
let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other
foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
According to the grace of God which is given to me, as a wise master
builder, I have laid the foundation, and another builds thereon”

Under the figure of a building, the apostle continues to speak of the work
of Christ's ministers, and especially of his own labors at Corinth. As the
first to preach the gospel there he had laid the foundation. With Christ as
the Cornerstone the teachers that succeeded him could build. The
reference is primarily to doctrine, but the principles apply to work and
life as well.
THE FOUNDATION: This is Jesus Christ the Mediator (Isaiah 28:16; 1
Peter 2:6). He is the Foundation of truth: the system of Christian theology
is built upon Him. All Christian teaching and preaching must have Him
for their basis. The entire structure of knowledge rests upon Him who is
the Source of all wisdom. He is also the Foundation of life The Church is
built upon, believers being "living stones" in the great spiritual temple.
THE SUPERSTRUCTURE: Having found the true Foundation, we must
"Take heed how we build thereon." The work of ministers/believers in
general is here viewed as the superstructure. Two kinds of materials may
be employed: "Gold, silver, costly stones" - the beautiful and lasting
materials, suited for a temple; or "Wood, hay, stubble" - the baser and
more perishable materials, fit only for a temporary house.
Let me illustrate from Job’s three friends – Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar.

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