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Feb
01
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Many, many years ago, Abraham headed to a land that he had been promised by God. He arrived, but it was still as if he were in a foreign land (Hebrews 11:9). Something was not fully right. Why? Because he was ultimately looking for a city whose designer and builder is God (Hebrews 11:10). Though he was looking, probably looking real hard, he never fully found that place. He had seen the heavenly blueprint, but he never was able to see it become an earthly reality (Hebrews 11:13).
Jesus also made an interesting statement: 'I will build my church' (Matthew 16:18). And there is no doubt that He is the faithful One to build according to pattern of the Father. He has been building according to the heavenly pattern, the pattern of God Himself, ever since He arrived on the scene.
But, if we are honest, we can get so caught up in trying to build something that is not according to the pattern, the blueprint, of God. It's been happening since the Fall. God has been looking to build a city, the church, after His own pattern. But we miss it so many times. We say the church must have this, must do this, must look like this, must be built like this. Yet, such ideas remain far from the design of God. The challenge is that we must build according to the great designer and architect.
We must also remember that we have a high calling - to display the manifold wisdom of God to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places (Ephesians 3:10). Absolutely astounding! But so many times we fall short of building as God builds, thus leaving us short of this magnificent calling. Yet, if we do pattern after the blueprint of God, the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places will look on in awe at the wisdom of God displayed in the church. And it starts in the small things - serving, reconciliation, brokenness over sin, seeking God in prayer.
So, what are you building? Or, better yet, how are you building?
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