Tuesday, April 30, 2013

What Are We Building?

Life is a reflection of what I see in the scriptures. This really makes sense, if we think about it, because God created both. Same author, same theme. As believers, we look to the scriptures to guide our path and light our way. We see in the scriptures we are to edify ourselves and others. Ephesians 4 makes it plain that this is part of the job description for the leadership of the church. God was smart. In 1 Corinthians 14 we see this is also extended to all believers through the gifts of the Spirit. And there are others, like Acts 15, Romans 15, 1 Thessalonians 3:2, and so on. The need to edify ourselves and others is well known. What is more challenging is, how do we know when we are doing this?

The easy way is to speak scriptures that are positive in nature to ourselves and others. We can also sing the Psalms and the hymns we know. Paul speaks of this in Ephesians 5 when he says to speak to ourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. These are excellent directions for us to go. However, is there anything else we can do? How do we know if we are actually edifying others, and that we have good intent? This leads us back to the title of this post.

When you are speaking or taking an action, stop and ask yourself, “What are we building from this?” If you like what you see, keep doing it. If not, stop, seek forgiveness (and accept it), and move on to something that has a good end.

Prayer
Father, thank You for making us into a building. Thank You for giving us a good Chief Cornerstone, Jesus. Thank You for being a very positive Father to us all. Praise Your Holy Name. In that name, the name above all others, Jesus, we pray. Amen.