Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. Ephesians 2:19-22 (NIV)
Have you ever built a house? Did you ever build something with Tinker Toys, Lincoln Logs, or Legos?The last three items could make me think that anyone could build a house. There is a reason that some children are able to build tall, intricate structures and some of us had trouble making four sticks come out square! There are principles of physics, including gravity, that mean a builder must have skills to go with knowledge and wisdom to make a structure that will stand. And so it is a disciple of Jesus. There are principles.
There must be a foundation. Paul says that those who have been before me make a foundation that I can stand on. It begins with the cornerstone of Jesus. He begins the structure. Jesus is where the interconnection of the ones who were with Him and continues to spread the Good News. The foundation may be stated as “Love God with all that you are and Love your neighbor as yourselfâ€. (Matthew 22) Jesus said that everything else hangs from these.
There must be structure. These may be seen as God’s commands. They give me borders that allow me to live in the world and not become the world. They are the points that I can come back to when life becomes difficult. Some of them are: God is faithful. I can count on Him. He has proven Himself to me. God is extravagantly loving. God is powerfully gentle. He is Creator. He is the One who defends me and holds me.
There must be a home. It is not enough to have a faith. There must be a relationship that provides a ‘home’ between me and God. We have different ‘rooms’ in our relationship. God takes me in the kitchen and serves me a feast some days. He takes me in the living room/den and to sit and talk. He occasionally takes me to the woodshed! Or maybe its the schoolroom to learn some discipline! And then there is the bedroom where it is safe and warm and so very loving.
There must be doors. It is not enough that I sit at home and enjoy this wonderful life that I have. I am to “GO!†and share with those who do not have a home yet. I can help them build. There must also be a door to come through and shut so that I can have that ‘filling’ time so I can go again.
It is wonderful to live in our home with the Spirit of God. The home is beautiful and sound and ours.
