As he endeavored to lead souls to the foot of the cross, Paul did not venture to rebuke, directly, those who were licentious, or to show how heinous was their sin in the sight of a holy God.Rather he set before them the true object of life and tried to impress upon their minds the lessons of the divine Teacher, which, if received, would lift them from worldliness and sin to purity and righteousness.He dwelt especially upon practical godliness and the holiness to which those must attain who shall be accounted worthy of a place in God's kingdom.He longed to see the light of the gospel of Christ piercing the darkness of their minds, that they might see how offensive in the sight of God were their immoral practices.Therefore the burden of his teaching among them was Christ and Him crucified.He sought to show them that their most earnest study and their greatest joy must be the wonderful truth of salvation through repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
The philosopher turns aside from the light of salvation, because it puts his proud theories to shame; the worldling refuses to receive it, because it would separate him from his earthly idols.Paul saw that the character of Christ must be understood before men could love Him or view the cross with the eye of faith.Here must begin that study which shall be the science and the song of the redeemed through all eternity.In the light of the cross alone can the true value of the human soul be estimated.
The refining influence of the grace of God changes the natural disposition of man.Heaven would not be desirable to the carnal-minded; their natural, unsanctified hearts would feel no attraction toward that pure and holy place, and if it were possible for them to enter, they would find there nothing congenial.The propensities that control the natural heart must be subdued by the grace of Christ before fallen man is fitted to enter heaven and enjoy the society of the pure, holy angels.When man dies to sin and is quickened to new life in Christ, divine love fills his heart; his understanding is sanctified; he drinks from an inexhaustible fountain of joy and knowledge, and the light of an eternal day shines upon his path, for with him continually is the Light of life.
Paul had sought to impress upon the minds of his Corinthian brethren the fact that he and the ministers associated with him were but men commissioned by God to teach the truth, that they were all engaged in the same work, and that they were alike dependent upon God for success in their labors.The discussion that had arisen in the church regarding the relative merits of different ministers was not in the order of God, but was the result of cherishing the attributes of the natural heart."While one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase." 1 Corinthians 3:4-7.
It was Paul who had first preached the gospel in Corinth, and who had organized the church there.This was the work that the Lord had assigned him.Later, by God's direction, other workers were brought in, to stand in their lot and place.The seed sown must be watered, and this Apollos was to do.He followed Paul in his work, to give further instruction, and to help the seed sown to develop.He won his way to the hearts of the people, but it was God who gave the increase.It is not human, but divine power, that works transformation of character.Those who plant and those who water do not cause the growth of the seed; they work under God, as His appointed agencies, co-operating with Him in His work.To the Master Worker belongs the honor and glory that comes with success.
God's servants do not all possess the same gifts, but they are all His workmen.Each is to learn of the Great Teacher, and is then to communicate what he has learned.God has given to each of His messengers an individual work.There is a diversity of gifts, but all the workers are to blend in harmony, controlled by the sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit.As they make known the gospel of salvation, many will be convicted and converted by the power of God.The human instrumentality is hid with Christ in God, and Christ appears as the chiefest among ten thousand, the One altogether lovely.
"Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.For we are laborers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building." Verses 8, 9.In this scripture the apostle compares the church to a cultivated field, in which the husbandmen labor, caring for the vines of the Lord's planting;and also to a building, which is to grow into a holy temple for the Lord.
God is the Master Worker, and He has appointed to each man his work.All are to labor under His supervision, letting Him work for and through His workmen.He gives them tact and skill, and if they heed His instruction, crowns their efforts with success.
God's servants are to work together, blending in kindly, courteous order, "in honor preferring one another." Romans 12:10.There is to be no unkind criticism, no pulling to pieces of another's work; and there are to be no separate parties.Every man to whom the Lord has entrusted a message has his specific work.Each one has an individuality of his own, which he is not to sink in that of any other man.Yet each is to work in harmony with his brethren.In their service God's workers are to be essentially one.No one is to set himself up as a criterion, speaking disrespectfully of his fellow workers or treating them as inferior.Under God each is to do his appointed work, respected, loved, and encouraged by the other laborers.Together they are to carry the work forward to completion.
