The result of building without the Lord
A couple of days ago, my dad and I went to inspect the progress being made at a construction site. The current stage in the building project is laying the flooring for the rooms. There was a specific pattern that had been communicated to the supervisor of the workmen but on arriving there, we found to our shock horror that they had gotten our instructions all wrong!
These six young men had worked so hard laying the flooring for a particular room in the wrong manner. All the materials were available for the workmen to get it right. They also possessed the right skills to get the job done. However, they had just laboured in vain because they did not follow the right instructions. As I watched these young men develop long faces at the thought of undoing several hours’ worth of work and starting afresh, the Spirit began to minister to me. I sensed in my spirit that this was how God felt about the Church today.
All the ingredients for success are present. We have the correct instructions from the bible, we have the Holy Spirit, we have the gifts of the Spirit and have been equipped for the job ahead by the Father above. Like those young men, the Church has not followed God’s instructions in many areas. We have attempted to build God’s house without following His template and as a result have laboured in vain in so many areas. We will have to undo what we have spent so much ‘self effort’ laying down. We will have to go back to the drawing table and receive instructions from God on how to rebuild His house by His Spirit.
Another observation I made was that those young men were very organised. The division of labour they employed meant that the job was done more efficiently. God has given a variety of gifts to His church. We have been endowed with the gifts of the Father, the gifts of the Son and the gifts of the Spirit. We have been equipped for victory in building God’s kingdom here on earth. However, the Church is in so much disarray today. There is hardly any unity or efficient division of labour within individual churches. Let’s not even get into the state of relationships between different denominations. The sooner we get our act together, pool our divine resources and put our hands to the plough, the sooner we will correct this mess and allow God build His house through us.
Thank you, Watchman, for this wonderful post that gives such a great visual. I feel the same way! The Lord has really been pressing on my heart this year to pray for the rebuilding (which as you said, will involve first tearing down anything not built on Jesus, 1 Cor. 3!)) of His house. He loves us so much! He knows the only way we are safe is with our lives built firmly on JESUS! All not built on Him will be exposed for what it is and will not last. The Lord has also been (very recently) pressing on my heart to pray for all the divisions – in my city, between churches/denominations, all over the world. Obviously, He is speaking something similar to you. Let us be a house of prayer! Let us beg the Lord for His house to be built – for Him to be the Master Architect and for us to follow exactly His plan. Let us ask for unity through His Spirit – that He will heal every wound and fill in every gap with His love! Let us pray for every chain to be broken so that the only thing binding us together is Jesus! Thank you, Watchman, for this great message! May we all heed the call of the Lord, and may the Lord bless and guide you in His work.
Hi wp. Sorry for my erratic response times these days. I’m still sorting out uninterrupted internet access here! From reading your posts, I’m aware that this issue of building God’s house is one that you’re passionate about. Every Christian should be passionate about seeing unity in God’s house. We’re all different parts of the same body. We have one Head, Christ Jesus, and I join you in praying that He would be the only One that binds us together. May God continue to use you mightily. Thanks wp