Paul wrote some interesting things to the folks at Corinth. Some of them seem a little confusing (the whole - should I marry or not? - question and discussion is very misleading...), while other things are very clear and beautiful (the discussion of charity, for example). But one of the things that I particularly enjoy is the use of building analogies.See, the Corinthians knew their buildings. They knew what a cornerstone was. They knew what a chief cornerstone was and how it is essential for all of the other cornerstones to be laid out relative to this cornerstone. They understood the importance of a solid foundation, carefully laid out and exactly placed, to the success of the rest of the building. They did not employ the arch, which later Roman and much later Gothic architecture would employ to such marvelous effect. But they achieved a simplicity and grace that was never excelled - only matched. The above column is a Corinthian column, identified by the acanthus leaves surrounding the capital. This column is located in Jordan - far from Corinth, but demonstrating the impact of Corinthian architecture far from the source.
Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone of our lives and of the Gospel. It is off His atoning sacrifice that we are able to build our lives. It is through His authority and in His Sacred Name that the saving ordinances of the Gospel are performed. It is His example that we look to for inspiration, hope and love.
Paul used the ideas of foundations, cornerstones, and architecture to great effect. The people who heard/read his words could easily relate to what he was saying. In our modern world it is a little more difficult, but not impossible if we give a little study.
I have on my desk here at work an anchor bolt, sometimes called a "J" bolt because of it's distinctive shape. It is used when a foundation of concrete is being poured. It is carefully placed and into the wet concrete before the concrete sets up. The locations of these bolts are carefully laid out so that it does not interfere with later construction. Then, after the concrete has hardened, the anchor bolt is used to bolt the wooden base of the wall to the foundation.
I am reminded of the scripture in Helaman, chapter 5 verse 12 - And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.
Life is hard. We are subject to all kinds of adverse winds and conditions. We MUST build upon the solid Rock, anchoring our souls in Christ (the "J" in "J" bolt reminding me of Jesus), in order to stay stable in the face of the vicissitudes of life. The anchor is there, the foundation is laid. The choice is ours to affix ourselves to Him. Doing so will provide us strength we need to overcome all.
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