Building codes are a set of carefully prepared building standards, tweaked to specific physical areas. Through a strict approval process, they become a matter of law. Violations of these codes can abort an expensive project, initiate fines, or lawsuits, and make a building unsafe for occupants.
God is a general contractor of sorts as He builds His church. His foundation stone is Jesus. “Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the cornerstone…” (Ephesians 2:20).
Those who have watched the house remodeling shows are familiar with demo day. Demo day is when the construction crew tears down some walls and structures to redesign the space. It’s not a careful, slow, board-by-board undoing but a sledgehammer-hitting, messy demolition.
Are we builders or part of the demolition crew as God builds His church? 1 Corinthians 3:9-15 explains that we are fellow workers with God. The foundation is Jesus and each of us has a part in building, layer by layer.
At the least, we can undo our part with our words. “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying (building up) that it may minister grace unto the hearers” (Eph 4:29). Like building on sifting sands, words that defame, demoralize, or demolish are dismantling what others are building. The absence of positive, encouraging, edifying words causes progress to be slow and uninspired. Let’s be careful to follow God’s building codes. Let our words be for building each other up, living stones of God’s church. We can construct a safe, strong, and encouraging church for all who come.
– Nan Robertson
Christ Fellowship