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Building God’s way (Part IV)

JACOB STAGGERED UNTIL HE BUILT ON THE ROCK
Now as we continue to build our spiritual houses (our lives) the columns/pillars must accord with God's standards to enjoy His continuous approval. The pillars must be strong enough to bear all the burdens. Consider Jacob!
During his escape from the brother, Jacob erected a pillar with the stone on which he laid his head and received revelation of the God of his fathers. He anointed that pillar with oil and called it Bethel (i.e. House of God). This pillar commemorated the place of his encounter with God and revelation of the God of his fathers. (Gen 28: 10-22 nkjv)
On his escape from Laban, Jacob set up another pillar with a stone to be a witness between him and Laban
on issues of mutual protection. He called it pillar of witness (Gen 31 : 45 - 47 nkjv)
Galeed. As God's spiritual houses we need to witness to the world and win souls for God. "And he who wins souls is wise” (Prov. 11:30 nkjv). Beside every believer must be able to occupy his identified mountain of influence, dislodge the rule of satan and power of sin and enthrone the rule of God and His righteousness so that the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ (Rev. 11:15nkv).
Jacob settled in Shechem instead of moving on to Bethel as directed by God. He built another altar El-Elohe-Israel i.e. God, the God of Israel. This was an act of zeal for God but it was a dead work as God was not in it. God instructed Him to go to Bethel. Little surprise that in Shechem Dinah his daughter was raped and his children Simeon and Levi committed murder of the males of the city of Shechem: (Gen.34:25-30 nkjv) As Jacob discovered, we cannot build our lives on disobedience or partial obedience. We cannot move on to fullness of Christ under this condition, because fear must arise to torment us and we graduate from one sin to another, thus we "build again the things which I destroyed and make myself a transgressor. (Gal 2:18 nkjv)
God stepped in to help and instructed Jacob to move on to Bethel and dwell there. He obeyed and instructed his household to put away all foreign gods among them, be clean and change their garments. (Gen. 35:1-7 nkjv) If our lives must be built on God continuously we must be obedient, return to him, give up other gods, forsake uncleanliness (break our fallow ground) and be new creation, commune with God ceaselessly in prayer and in renewing of our mind with His word.
At Bethel he set up the third pillar (Gen. 35:7 nkjv) and called it "El-bethel" i.e. 'God of the House. This is significant in that while we are building our lives or anything else we need God in it. We must forsake all that is displeasing to God; show love to one another, be each other’s keeper.
Besides, to attain this dimension of God's in building our Spiritual life God must be allowed to take over. Here Deborah, Rebekah's nurse died. We must not give way to flesh if we must build with God's permission and support.
Depending more and more on God's will, Jacob moved towards Hebron from Bethel. At Ephratha (in Bethlehem) Rachel died and was buried there. Over her grave Jacob built the forth pillar (Gen. 35:2nkjv). Here for the first time Jacob assumed his patriachal role and named the son Benjamin. This man, like Abraham, became a true leader of his household and to line them up with God's will. Conflicts must give way to oneness and peace. We must die to our flesh and live for Christ. Then Jacob arrived at Hebron and met with the father. He attained the ultimate transformation and a life built on God and sustained by God.
Unless we set such a foundation and erect such pillars (Revelation witnessing, love towards one another, deadness to flesh) in building our spiritual houses (our lives) the structure cannot stand and we cannot build successfully. Jesus must be the Cornerstone and the final (Capstone) for us to receive God's continuing support and coverage. This coverage will confirm that we have built a solid and stable life, ministry, church or business and whatever we are building.
This makes the point that anything we are building, God will not give His approval and if He is not the one building, there is no glory acceptable to Him. It is a matter of time it must collapse. "Except the Lord builds the house the builders labour in vain. (Psalm. 127:1 nkjv) God knows us from the foundation of the earth. We must allow Him to build us.
Yes, we are building. We have a responsibility to allow God to build us, show us His way, or make a deadly choice to follow our way. We are merely subcontractors. He is the master-builder, the sure foundation, the provider of pattern, and all details. This way we build successful Christian lives, business, careers, professions, ministries, etc. We must constantly check our lives and overturn whatever is contrary to the will of God. Revival in our personal and spiritual lives must continually take place. We must remove all 'soft soils' between us and Jesus - our bedrock, our cornerstone and our capstone. This way we build strong and durable edifice in the spirit. Jacob did so and became Israel (the Prince with God instead of Jacob the supplanter).