BUILDING TO LAST?

For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. (Hebrews 4:5, KJV)

To build means to form something by combining materials or parts. If the above definition is anything to go by, to build would mean the joining of different parts to make a unit.

One may decide to buy all the blocks in town for the purpose of building, but without the cement and other building components, a building cannot stand.

It is clear according to scriptures that the church is a body: the body of Jesus Christ. And for it to stand as a body, there has to be the coming together of other parts to make it whole and Jesus Himself acknowledged this in John 15:5;

“I am the vine, ye are the branches…”

Did you notice He said “branches”? Meaning more than one part; different denominations forming a single unit.

Relating John 15:5 to Ephesians 4:11-12;

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”

God gave to the church, Apostles, Prophets and others to perfect the saints, that is, to build or equip the saints. See also 1 Corinthians 12:4-5:

“Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.”

It clearly states “…differences of administrations…” so all denomination cannot be the same or run same policy.

It is popularly said that the average African builds for prosperity while their white counterparts build for “posterity”. No wonder we still see products of over One Hundred years old from developed nations still selling and doing very well today with their standard still maintained or even better improved while those from Africa have a lifespan of of Five to Ten years. This is because the average business in African has no structure while those in developed nations have laid down structures that guides them over the years.

Let me say this, “structures are meant to build men that contributes to building even better structures, but if you build only men without a structure, the structure dies when the man leaves.”

And the church of God is a classical business venture that should have solid structures. Jesus speaking in Luke 2:49:

“…wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?”

And Apostle Paul to the Romans:

“Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;” – Romans 12:11

And their structures are still speaking today because they were governed by divine structures according to 1 Corinthians 12:4-5.

It is God that calls to ministry but it is up to the called to define the scope of their call, that is why there are different denominations but the same body of Christ.

It is important to state that there are two types of structures; man made and divine, however, both are meant to govern the body of Christ.

While man made laws are constitutions that can be altered, divine structures are given by God and cannot be altered but if followed as directed by God, you see such a denomination wax stronger daily.

“Structures are put in place to build and govern the conducts of men.”

I once read of how someone left a particular church because he could not bend to their rules or standard; their structure.

I have heard people condemn churches because they cannot cope with their laws and then go about condemning such denomination but they forget it is the Holy Spirit that gives the gifts but the administration of such gifts, to a large extent, is up to the one to whom it has been given – 1 Corinthians 12:4-5.

“And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.” – 1 Corinthians 14:32.

Yes, the gift is given by God but the prophet can determine the administrative process to manage the gift.

However, if the administrative structure is not solidly built on the right foundation; God. It is bound to fail with time. But if it is on Christ, the solid Rock, it will outlive the builder.

It is therefore expedient that will build on God, who Himself is the Master Builder that builds all things – Hebrews 3:4.

It is my prayer therefore, that we learn divine wisdom so that we can build structures that will build men who would be tools suitable for the Masters use, and they in turn would build structures that would stand the test of time!

It is well with you!

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