1 Corinthians 3 King James Version (KJV)
1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
Paul spoke this some TWO THOUSAND YEARS ago! GRASP, or TRY and EMBRACE that "period of time!" This is YEARS, as flesh men define years! Yet? "Churches", or "The Church", or more aptly interpreted? "CALLED OUT ONES?" Are STILL not "Building the Temple" that is within us! Why? Might one ask? Because, "People", in general? Can't scarcely agree on the very "foundation" OF this Temple! Without arguing even over that WHICH Christ, was SENT, and SACRIFICED, and RESURRECTED from the dead's TEACHINGS even mean!
It's NEITHER "Grace", NOR "Faith", NOR "Hope", NOR "Love", that are at the "subtility", of ALL these myriad of arguments? No, indeed! It's "LABORS!" In ALL these "endeavors" of "BUILDING" the Temple that is within each and every one of us! And, the "carnality" of men seeking APPROVAL and "MAN'S PROOFINGS", or APPROVAL of their "Labors", that PREVENT God, from (even CONSIDERING) "GIVING (Grace, Mercy) INCREASE! Meaning? They/We are ALLOWING ourselves to "CEASE FROM BUILDING", this Temple, FOR the "Acceptance of men", and NOT, for the "INCREASE, that ONLY God, CAN give!"
(still in 1Corinthians 3)
7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
"THIS", is NOT "WORKS EQUALS SALVATION", Teaching, or Doctrine! This, is "WORKS (laboring/s) EQUALS REWARD/S" Teaching FROM Paul! (note the Parable of the talents)
15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
And, this is the "current condition" of todays "churches of stone!" As like in Ezekiel 13, when God sends "heavy winds and rains" against the walls daubed with "untempored mortar?" Is the SAME as churches of stone! Only difference is, is NOW it's INDIVIDUALLY, with EACH AND EVERY BELIEVER, as opposed to the "Church/Nation" of Israel! And just as with Israel? The SAME FRIGGING THING IS HAPPENING AGAIN! OH!!!!! THIS JUST PO'S ME TO NO END!!!!
Just as water seeks its own level? Such as it is, with "the church!" They hit the fire? Stubble?...POOF! Try again! People NEVER get BEYOND the "Foundation!" POOF!
Writing a book, ain't going to get YOU there! The "writer" gets his OWN reward, as profiting from sales. The writer of the book CAN'T get you there! He can write concerning his "own" labors and "Proofing's by Fire", and, should the reader/s "esteem" them self as having done a labor worthy of reward? For HEAVEN'S SAKE! DON'T "YOU" go "building on your temple" with the writer's "labor/s, WITHOUT first having YOUR "labor/s" PROOFED By Fire!
20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are your's;
22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are your's;
23 And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.
I HOPE this might, help those who seek discernment, the argumentings of those who espouse "works EQUALS Salvation", and "works EQUALS Reward!"
(end of rant)