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AUGUST 22
builds on this foundation with gold, silver, pre-
cious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s
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work will become clear; for the Day will
3:12 if anyone builds.This is,first of all,in ref- declare it, because it will be revealed by fire;
erence to the evangelists and pastors (v. 9), and the fire will test each one’s work, of what
and then to all believers who are called to sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built
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build the church through faithful ministry. on it endures, he will receive a reward. If any-
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gold, silver, precious stones. His quality one’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but
materials represent dedicated, spiritual ser- he himself will be saved, yet so as through
vice to build the church. wood, hay, straw. fire.
Inferior materials implying shallow activity 16 Do you not know that you are the temple
with no eternal value. They do not refer to of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in
activities that are evil. 17
you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God
will destroy him. For the temple of God is
3:13 the Day. Refers to the time of the judg- holy, which temple you are.
ment seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:10). revealed by
18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone
fire. The fire of God’s discerning judgment
(Job 23:10; Zech. 13:9; 1 Pet. 1:17,18; Rev. 3:18). among you seems to be wise in this age, let
Second Corinthians 5:10 indicates that the him become a fool that he may become wise.
19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness
wood, hay, and straw are “worthless” things
that don’t stand the test of judgment fire. with God. For it is written, “He catches the
wise in their own craftiness”; and again, “The
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LORD knows the thoughts of the wise, that
to the grace of God which was given to me, as they are futile.” Therefore let no one boast in
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a wise master builder I have laid the founda- men. For all things are yours: whether Paul
tion, and another builds on it. But let each one or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or
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take heed how he builds on it. For no other death, or things present or things to come—
foundation can anyone lay than that which is all are yours. And you are Christ’s, and
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laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone Christ is God’s.
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DAY 21:What does it mean to be “carnal”?
The cause of problems in the Corinthian church was more than external, worldly influence. It
was also internal carnality (1 Cor.3:1).The pressures of the world were combined with the weakness
of the flesh. Although Corinthian believers were no longer “natural,” they were not “spiritual” (fully
controlled by the Holy Spirit). In fact, they were “carnal” (controlled by the fallen flesh). Though all
believers have the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:9), they still battle the fallen flesh (Rom. 7:14–25; 8:23).
Paul calls them “babes in Christ.”The carnality of those believers was indicative of their imma-
turity.They had no excuse for not being mature, since Paul implied that he should have been able
to write to them as mature, in light of all he had taught them (v. 2). He could only feed them with
“milk”(v.2).Not a reference to certain doctrines,but to the more easily digestible truths of doctrine
that were given to new believers.“Solid food” is the deeper features of the doctrines of Scripture.
The difference is not in the kind of truth, but degree of depth. Spiritual immaturity makes one
unable to receive the richest truths.
Carnality produces the attitude of envy, a severe form of selfishness, which produces the action
of strife and the subsequent divisions (v.3).They end up acting as “mere men.”Apart from the will of
Spirit, hence carnal, not spiritual. Factionalism was the divisive product of carnality, aligning them-
selves with “Paul…Apollos”(v.4).Paul reminds them that all the human instruments God uses to pro-
duce salvation life are equally considered and rewarded for their willingness to be used by God. But
all the glory goes to Him,who alone saves.Because of that,the silly favoritism is condemned (vv.5–8).

Do you say,
AUGUST 22 ‘My righteousness is more than God’s’?
3 For you say,
Job 35:1–36:33
‘What advantage will it be to You?
35 Moreover Elihu answered and said: What profit shall I have, more than if I
had sinned?’
2 4 “I will answer you,
“Do you think this is right?
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