Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Building Codes
A friend of mine in the great state of Florida is faced with some challenges regarding an addition she had done to her garage. It seems that the person doing the addition did not follow the building codes and did not get the permitting process right. Now she may have to tear it down and start over. This morning as I was thinking about her situation, I was thinking about how we are built up together as the body of the Messiah and wondered about the connection.
It would seem that the building code for the body of the Messiah should be in the scriptures, right? I found a few that seemed to apply.
1 Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
Peter in his first letter said that Jesus (Yeshua) was a precious stone, and we are spiritual stones as well. We are spiritually being built into a spiritual house in which we as priests are to offer up spiritual sacrifice. So what is our “spiritual sacrifice” that we offer up? Peter lists a number of things, but one thing in particular is important, I think.
1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Peter said we are to show forth praises to God for bringing us out of darkness and into the light. This was not new to those that were reading the scriptures available at that time. Many of the Psalms also speak of praise as something we do as spiritual priests to God.
Psalms 116:16 O Lord, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.
17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord.
18 I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people,
19 In the courts of the Lord’s house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the Lord.
Here we see that the Psalmist acknowledges this deliverance by God from darkness. We also see that thanksgiving is the sacrifice that pays the vows in God’s house. We are that house. Paul also spoke of this in his letter to the Hebrews.
Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
Paul encouraged us to do good, to share with others, and to offer up the sacrifice of praise which is from our lips we thank God for His name. We are to do this continually. Now back to the building code.
Our spiritual house has an added benefit. It never has to be torn down when we get it wrong. We can start right where we are, seek forgiveness from God for any mistakes, and begin to praise Him. His mercies are new every morning, and He will fix the building for us! Now THAT is a true blessing. Praise the name of the Lord!
Can I get a “Woo-Hoo!”?
Prayer
Father, we so want to thank You for all you do for us. You are truly the Most High! Thank You for always forgiving us and always loving us. We offer to You today praise from our lips. Thank You, thank You, thank You! In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.