Carnal Christians and Divisions in the Church

1st Corinthians Chapter 3 

Scripture: 

For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work. If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.  

Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.  

Observation: 

 This chapter addresses the fact that there were three popular teachers in the early church in Corinth that had distinct followers that formed cliques around them.  Each group striving to be considered "better" than the other and it was causing division on the church.  Paul uses a carpentry metaphor and says that Christ laid the foundation (salvation) and while others work in building that kingdom might each be made of varying materials, their work would pass through the fire, and only those things that had eternal significance would endure.   

To be clear: This passage isn't talking about earning salvation - that foundation was already laid, paid and done; thanks to the sacrifice of our Lord.  This passage is talking about the maturity of the people and how their actions were putting up dividers.  Verse 3 says "you are still worldly" other versions call them "infants" and still other's call them "Carnal Christians".  However you label them these were people who had accepted the truth of Christ, and were saved, yet were still immature, unaware that they didn't have to resort to worldly ways of behaving. 

That foundation that Christ laid is our salvation, WE are the building that was created, WE are the temple of God, and our lives (the things we say and do, the works of our hands) become the building materials (holiness) used for raising that temple.  When we act foolishly, carnal, and self serving: instead of with Godly wisdom - it doesn't last and it only brings division.  Doesn't that remind you of when Jesus told the Pharisees "A house divided against itself cannot stand"?   

Application: 

I urge you today to look at the things you've incorporated into the building of your life.  Where do you spend your money, your time and your energy?  Are they for the things that will last?   

How can you tell the difference?  It's right there in the beginning of this same passage, look for envy, jealousy, strife and division.  If you slog through that every day- chances are good you need to look for ways to get off the milk and mature into the deeper meat of the Christian life. 

Prayer: 

Lord, we in the western church culture place so much emphasis on getting saved and being born again, that we are guilty maybe of not discipling each other into the deeper and more mature life.  Help us to practice the one another's in shepherding, encouraging, admonishing, teaching and loving one another into growth.  Amen!