There is a new house under construction in our neighborhood. It has been fun watching the progress of the house as it has moved from land-clearing to foundation-pouring to framing and now roofing.The Bible has a lot to say about building a house. In reality, the messages are not about bricks and lumber, so they apply whether you live in a house, an apartment or a tent. The lessons are about building a life and a family and the Kingdom of God. Here are some building principles we all can follow.
Lay a solid foundation. Jesus told a story of two folks, each of them building a new house. One chose the less labor-intensive path and built on a sandy plain. The other built his home on a mesa with a rock foundation. When the storms and floods came through, only the house with the solid foundation stood. “God has already put Jesus Christ as the only foundation of this building.” (1 Corinthians 3:11) Our faith in Christ is what holds us together when life gets stormy.
Use a builder you can trust. “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.” (Psalm 127:1) When God is the architect of your life, all of the walls are solid and provide shelter and security. The doorways allow for you to go out into the world to serve and also allow you to invite others into your home for warmth and hospitality. The windows are designed to let the light of God’s love in, while providing opportunities for you to see the beauty around you. You can see how God has “plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:13)
Even though there is still much to be done, the young couple who will occupy the house are preparing their hearts to move in. Their desire is to fill the house with God’s Word and God’s Spirit. They have gone throughout the house and have written Bible verses on stud walls and ceiling rafters. The Bible tells us to write on our doorposts: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:4)That is a great message for every home – and every heart.
-Dr. Jim Baldwin
Yorumlar