Article Content
Building God’s way (Part III)
BUILD WELL AND IN OBEDIENCE TO GOD'S DIRECTIVE
As we set the foundation of our lives upon Jesus we must take heed what materials we use for our building. We are not ours. We belong to Him for we were created through Him and for Him (John. 1:3; Col. 1:16 nkjv). He designs our purpose in life, so we must resort to Him all the way if we must built in God’s way. He has to dictate the material to be used because the building is erected upon Him. Paul mentioned different material for a solid building. These are: gold, silver, precious stone and word, hay, straw. (1Cor 3:10-15 nkjv). If we use durable materials, on the day of testing, fire
will reveal us as wise builders but if we use perishable wood, hay and straw we are the foolish builders. Material that stand the fire test will permit the builder to move on to maturity and remain standing no matter the storm of life. The perishable material will expose the builder to loss. And we cannot bear fruit and advance to take the mountain of culture to make the kingdoms of this world the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ (Rev.11:5 nkjv)
According to Kevin J. CORNER (the church in the New Testament (page 45 D) in further elucidating on the importance of materials we use.
GOLD: Imperishable material. It can stand the pressure. It symbolizes that which is Divine of God
SILVER: Fire, purification test. Speaks of that which is of redemption (Num. 31:21-24 nkjv)
PRECIOUS STONES: Purify the spoils of war speaks of that which is formed as a gem, gifts of the Spirit. (Prov 17:8 nkjv) Besides, in terms of works:
GOLD: - Works according to the word
SILVER: Works inspired and energized by the Spirit.
Precious Stones - Works motivated by the love of God
He concludes "only works that are according to the word of God, inspired by the Spirit of God and motivated by the love of God will stand the fire tests. We have to look to ourselves that we receive a full reward. Other works are reduced to ashes. Our prayer life must move from "asking" through "seeking God" to knocking at the door (Jesus) (Matt 7:7, 8; luke.11:13 nkjv)
Therefore we must be careful both as to our foundation, how we build, the materials we use and the people we associate with in our building. We must build diligently, according to God's directives, specifications, instructions, timing and purpose. This is exemplified in the Tabernacle of Moses and the temple of Solomon. All aspects of these buildings were determined by God. For example David instructed his son Solomon, not to depart from the pattern which he received from the Spirit of God. These builders diligently conformed to the patterns which God gave. No doubt, God confirmed His approval by the manifestation of His Glory during dedication services.
As we build our lives we must continually review our standing with God. David pondered "If the foundation be destroyed what can the righteous do?” (Psalm. 11:3 nkjv) Then the Answer: "The Lord is in His Holy Temple." (Psalm. 11:4 nkjv) This instructs us to pattern our life after the three stones used in building Solomon's temple. The stones were: (Large stones), symbolizing Apostles; (Costly stones) symbolizing Prophets; (Hewn stones) representing Jesus the Comerstone.
According to Pastor Tunde Bakare of the Citadel Global Community Church in his Message titled "Foundation" delivered at Enugu on 25th April, 2003, he explained that Apostles like Solomon and Paul (Large stones) are God's master builders. They are the sent ones. They know purpose. They have seeing eyes and hearing ears to tab into the realm of the spirit like the sons of Isaachar who had the understanding of the time to know what Israel ought to do (1chron. 12:32 nkjv)
(Hewn Stone). A stone cut "without hands," and "filled the whole earth.” (Dan. 2:34-35nkjv) We cannot build well without these graces and gifts they are encapsulated in Jesus and accessible to believers rooted in Jesus.
We cannot build anything without these. What can the righteous do? He must appraise his foundation on which he builds his life and expose every faulty construction. He must reset the foundation and be "the repairer of the breach.” the restorer of paths to dwell (Isa 58:1-12 nkjv) in"? He must be humble enough to return to the one who is the foundation, because irrespective of the materials he used on the solid foundation, everything will collapse if he hides his blunders and falsehood. Jesus the rock foundation, the Ancient of Days will remain. The righteous must rebuild according to pattern received or seek for one and rebuild. Josiah had to break up, in a revival move, all the images, the high places including those of the mount of corruption which Solomon built. He even broke sepulchres and burnt the bones of the corrupters of the solid foundation built by David. (2Kings 23: 4-20 nkjv)
When we look at our nation Nigeria, we realize according to Margaret Thatcher (Downing Street years pp.424-525) that it is "an artificial creation" The Amalgamation of 1914 of the North and the South was founded on deception, exploitation and force. The foundation was built on sand. God was not in it. It continues to be built on deception and ungodly compromise. No doubt the nation goes on in a continuous circle of crises and mutual distrust. For it to prosper we must break up, as Josiah did, the rickety foundation and rebuild on the Rock. The false foundation must be exposed and broken up. God will then step in and show us how to build.
We know Jesus is the Rock. Our nation must return to Him through godly repentance, prayers and righteousness. He will show us the pattern, strategy, the builders to use and revival on sound principles of God will bring 'economic recovery faster than that of Japan.
It’s time to a checkup of our lives. How we building our life, family and business. Are we co-worker with the Lord in our ministries? If in doubt beat a return to the Lord for help.