1Cor 3:12 But if anyone builds upon the foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, grass, stubble, 1Pet 1:24 For "all flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass has withered, and the flower has fallen off, 25 But the word of the Lord abides forever."
[Part 2 of 2] Stubble signifies the work and living which issue from an earthen source. Stubble is altogether without life. To build with stubble is even worse than building with wood and grass. Jealousy, strife, envy, gossip, and criticism are all aspects of stubble. Philosophical people are usually very critical. The more they think in a philosophical way, the more they criticize others. Such criticism is stubble. It is very difficult among Christians today to find the proper building materials. Where can you find gold, silver, and precious stones? However, there is an abundance of wood, grass, and stubble. Everywhere we can see the natural makeup, the natural being, and even such things as jealousy, envy, strife, hatred, murmuring, and complaining. If we look at the situation among Christians today, we shall realize that Paul's word about wood, grass, and stubble is not a mere doctrine. We all must exercise our spirit, look to the Lord, and pray, "O Lord, have mercy on me that I would not build Your church with my natural makeup, with my natural being, or with anything of jealousy, strife, or envy. Lord, I want to build Your church with the gold of the Father's nature, with the silver of the cross which redeems, terminates, and replaces me, and with the transforming work of the Holy Spirit. I want to build the church in the mingled spirit where I experience the Father's nature and the Son's redemption, and eventually have the Spirit's transformation. Lord, I desire to build the church in this way." (c) Living Stream Ministry.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Witness Lee, Life-study of 1 Corinthians, pp. 242,245. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA. Please visit us at www.emanna.com. Send comments to: [email protected].
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