Are You an Expert Builder?
by Jill Southern
I’m having an orangery built on to my house. It’s a posh version of a conservatory. I’ve been intrigued each day, as I’ve made cups of tea for the workers, to observe how they’re getting on.
Work began by digging a deep hole for the foundations. The foundations had to be very carefully done, and had to be inspected by the man from the council before anything could continue. It made me think about 1 Corinthians 3:10 where the apostle Paul said he was an expert builder in building the kingdom. He’d laid the foundations carefully, as everything depends on strong foundations, such as the truth of the word of God, and Jesus Christ Himself being the foundation.
Next concrete was poured into the large hole, and this had to be straight and level, and had to be checked many times with a plumb line or spirit level, because the whole structure would rely on the integrity of the foundations. They only put in the foundations once, and they must be perfectly level and straight. In the same way, the teaching of the apostles had to be perfectly true. It was not to be mixed with anything else.
Again, the expert from the council came to inspect the work. The next stage was building blocks being put in place at each corner. This was a slow and critical process with much use of the plumb line and spirit level and diligent checking for their correct positioning. This further reminded me that Jesus is the chief cornerstone in our lives, and we must constantly check that nothing has come in to move Him from His rightful position. We are to be anchored strongly in Him.
The scripture teaches us that many rejected Jesus as the chief cornerstone, and of course their lives would eventually come crashing down, as they weren’t built on a sure foundation. Paul is saying that each of us should be careful how we build, for no one can build their life on anything other than the foundation of Jesus Christ. Do we need to inspect our foundations again to ensure this is truly the case?
Prayer: Lord, I’m so glad in this very uncertain world where anything goes and everything is subjective that You alone are my sure foundation. Help me to be very careful how I build, with Your plumb line of truth, and to continually check that You are the cornerstone for my life. Please help me with this, in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Jill Southern is the founder of Ellel Ministries Pierrepont and directed the work for 21 years. She has recently stood down from that role but still teaches on the NETS programme and has the passion to train and equip God`s people to fully walk in their destiny and calling. She is the Regional Director for Ellel Ministries International in South East Asia and China and is also on the Executive Leadership of the ministry.
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