Who Built That?

    For several years, I worked in new home sales.  It was so much fun to watch as the foundation was laid and the frame went up!  Every day I would look at the progress of my buyer's homes. I was unfamiliar with carpentry and was quickly amazed at how things came together.  What was even more interesting was how exact things needed to be.  The foundation had to be firm and correctly laid. Each stage of the home had to be completed in an appropriate fashion and in order.  The materials used needed to be quality. If poor materials were chosen,  the homes would not pass inspection when the  inspectors come to see if it will pass code; and, the house may not stand the test of time. 

   The apostle Paul spoke of how important it was to build in the precise manner.

1 Corinthians 3:10-15 ~ “By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care.  For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.  If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.  If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.  If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames."

Without the proper foundation, your efforts are in vain.  Your work will never stand the test of time. When it is inspected, it will be shown for what it is.  Every trial the structure faces will provide a testament as to the quality of your work.

Shakespeare said it so wisely; we all "play a different part in the grand stage of life."  Some of us lay foundations and some of us build.  At any given point in time, we all could be doing both the laying and the building.  When the foundation is laid, if it is not solid, then the efforts of those coming after will be in vain... 

"Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness." 2 Timothy 2:19

     When we lay our foundation with Christ as our cornerstone, we know it is solid.  Christ is our rock! When the storms of life come, they will never shake our foundation. It is firm.

    But I believe the building process is so important.  I have never witnessed a builder use second rate materials on a well-built foundation…  Be careful when you are building to use worthy material. Paul tells us that “each one should build with care.”  Your work will one day be shown for what it is.  When the storms come, if you have built into others using worthy product, then each trial they face will show the quality of your craftsmanship. 

So build in love, and build with CARE

…. like Christ,  be Affirming, Receptive, and Encouraging

“…Therefore encourage one another and build up each
other,” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

(See also Romans 14:19, 1 Corinthians 14:26, and Jude 1:20).