That's a very important point. It's why good deeds with the wrong motive will be burned up, yielding no reward. And it's why evil people can do some "good" things.
May I also say this, so all is clear..
It's not with
what one builds upon it, but "
how" one builds upon it. Not with what doctrine
(cause there can be no other doctrine
), or some good, or evil one does to another
(for this has to be confronted, especially within a church setting
), but what they put into it, how they approach it, how wise they were in their ways, did they always do it willingly, it's got to do with those kind of things, the quality of their work, not the seed they are planting. This is why he writes "So let no one boast in men," and "that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another
[one would not say these, if one was talking about doctrine, or evil, cause then one should be in favor of one doctrine over another, or a good minister over a evil minister, especially in a church setting
]" because it's not about how well dressed, or how great and elegant with words, or flashy, someone is at sharing the word with us, but it's about the message, receiving growth from the truth of the Gospel. People were saying, Paul was not a great speaker, but he had knowledge. So, catering to style instead of the message, is simply catering to the fleshes desires.
So what profit is there in bosting of how great one speaker's presentation is over another speaker's, for their reward is for them only. What 1 Cor. 3 is referring to is someone who is building upon the right foundation of the doctrine of Christ. So, they are in the right doctrine of Christ, cause if they are not, then God will destroy them for destroying His temple, and there can be no other foundation
(Paul is hinting back to Exod 12:15, 19
). And evil ministers should never be tolerated in the church.
Let me also point this out..
Isa 63:8 For he said, “
Surely they are
my people, children
who will not deal falsely.” And he became
their Savior.
Isa 63:9 In all their affliction
he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence
saved them; in his love and in his pity
he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them
all the days of old.
Isa 63:10 But they rebelled and
grieved his Holy Spirit [putting out the spirit "quenching the spirit"
]; therefore
he turned to be their enemy, and
himself fought against them [and, it is written in Revelation 2 and 19, that Christ would come and fight against His own church(es)
].
Mat 10:33 but whoever
denies me before men, I also will
deny before my Father who is in heaven.
..and..
Mat 10:22 and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures
to the end will be saved.
Here is an example of those words, to the churches..
Rev 2:9 “‘I know
your tribulation and
your poverty (
but you are rich) and
the slander of those who say that they are
Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
Rev 2:10
Do not fear what you are about to
suffer [so, this is not because they are wicked, and not considered God's children, that this has come upon them
]. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that
you may be tested [so, God test us, and we need to learn to overcome them, to grow
], and for ten days
you will have tribulation. Be
faithful unto death, and I will give you the
crown of life ["the one who endures
to the end will be saved," for listen again..
].
Rev 2:11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says
to the churches [so even in that, there is a lesson here for everyone
].
The one who conquers [or overcomes, or victorious
] will not be
hurt by the second death [the second death is the final one. "the one who endures
to the end will be saved," and "whoever
denies me before men, I also will
deny before my Father"
].
These people are of the called, and saved, for He did not say turn and accept me as your lord and savior (for they have already done that, but God knows the secrets of a persons heart), but that they are not to deny Him, right up to the last second. They still have to endure ten more days to escape the second death, which is the person being cast into the lake of fire.
1Co 5:5 you are to deliver this man to Satan for the
destruction of the flesh [fleshes desires
], so
that his spirit may be saved in
the day of the Lord.
1Jn_2:23
No one who
denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.
Rom 16:17-18 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who
cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine [how many denominations, and different doctrines are there] that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For
such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
