What God is building for us, & what we are building for God

Building operations are always interesting—First there is a plan prepared. Then, if the site be occupied, the old buildings are pulled down, the rubbish cleared away, the foundations dug out, the corner stone laid, other stones placed in position, one row above another. The new building rises slowly from foundation to floor, floor to ceiling, ceiling to roof.

What a marvel in every particular was the Temple at Jerusalem. Grand, magnificent and awe-inspiring as a whole, it was also beautiful in every detail. The plans were given by inspiration (1 Chron. 28. verse 12 and 19). The materials were gathered by David. The building erected by Solomon. Cedars from Lebanon were floated to Joppa. The stones were quarried underground in Jerusalem (1 Kings 6:7). For seven long years the House was building—no noise of hammer, or axe, or iron tool was heard. Like a tall palm the fabrics noiseless grew.

The corner stone at the south-east angle of the city is said to weigh 100 tons. Two pillars of brass four fingers thick, 12 cubits (18 feet) round, and 18 cubits (27 feet) high, stood in the porch. Gold, silver, precious stones, cedar wood, olive wood, were all used, and when the Temple was complete it is said to have resembled a mountain of snow, fretted with gold. Such was the House of God, the House of Prayer, the earthly habitation of the Spirit; nevertheless it was destroyed because of Israel’s sins.

As Christ told the woman of Samaria, the hour was coming when neither in Samaria nor in Jerusalem should they worship the Father (John 4:21–24). We may worship anywhere in spirit and in truth.
Many labourers have worked at God’s building—Moses as a servant, Paul as a wise master-builder. The stones are being hammered, chiselled, and prepared in the darkness now. They will each be put in place, and the whole city of God manifested after Christ has returned (Ephesians 2:20–22). Peter, James, and John were the pillars in the early church. The promise to him that overcometh is that he shall be a pillar (permanently) in the Temple of God, and that he shall bear the name of God, of the Holy City, and of the Redeemer in the age to come.
It is the custom to record on the foundation stone of modern buildings the name of the person who laid the stone. The foundation (stone) of God standeth sure, having this seal, “The Lord knoweth them that are his” (comfort for us), and (as I suppose, on the other side of the corner), “Let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” Our duty to Christ demands this of us (2 Tim. 2:19). Zechariah prophesied to Zerubbabel that he should bring forth the headstone with shouts of joy, crying, Grace, grace unto it. The end crowns the work, and so shall it be when Christ our head returns and we shall sing his praises (Rev. 5:12).

But now, what of ourselves? We are builders. There is much to be pulled down. David had to dispossess the Jebusites, the lame, and the blind, before the temple could be built (2 Sam. 5:8). We must rid our minds of lame excuses and blind arguments before there is room for the Temple of Truth.

1. How shall we build? It may be like Nehemiah. In troublous times. A tool in one hand, a weapon in the other, it may be from the dawn of day till the stars appear (Neh. 4:17 to 21). Let it be with Nehemiah’s faith and Nehemiah’s prayer—Remember me, O my God, for good. Let each aim to be like Timothy—a workman that needeth not to be ashamed (2 Tim. 1:15).

2. On what shall we build? Babylon, built on the sand, is gone. Rome, built on seven extinct volcanoes, will yet be swallowed up (Remember Pompeii and Herculaneum). Jersalem, built on the rock, remains for ever. Let us dig deep, lay a solid foundation, and build on the Rock that nought can move (Matt. 7:27)—the sure foundation that was laid in Zion (Isa. 28:16).

3. What shall we build? A character pleasing to God (1 Cor. 3:10–15). Justice, righteousness, kindly thoughts, loving words, noble deeds. “For the structure that we raise, Time is with materials filled; Our to-days and yesterdays are the blocks with which we build.”

4. What with? The word of God. It is able to build you up, and others too, if rightly it be used by you. Remember knowledge puffeth up, love buildeth up. Edify means build up (1 Cor. 8:1).

5. What for? Not our glory but God’s glory (2 Cor. 4:5). As an evidence of our love for Christ.

6. What avoid? The untempered mortar of insincerity and love of applause. We cannot speak smooth words merely to please. It is not for us to tickle the itching ear. We must be faithful (Ezek. 13:10; Isa. 30:10; 2 Tim. 4:3, 4).

7. When shall we begin to build? There is a time to every purpose under heaven, a time to break down and a time to build up. Now is the accepted time. Begin at once. Give yourself to the Lord.

Offer God first yourself, then your choicest gifts, highest abilities, purest motives, greatest talents. The building we are engaged upon is worthy of all our best. It is to be a habitation for the spirit, therefore come out from everything that is unclean (2 Corinthians 6:14 to 18). If you are already doing your best in these matters, take comfort from the words of Haggai to the returned exiles (Haggai 2:4) “Be strong and work, for I am with you,” saith the Lord of Hosts. They began to work, and God said (verse 19), “From this day I will bless you.” Whatever success we may meet with, let us remember God gives it us.

“Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it” (Psa. 127:1.)

C. A. BOWER, 29, Lansdowne Road, Handsworth.


. Vol. 42: The Christadelphian: Volume 42. 2001 (electronic ed.) (288). Birmingham: Christadelphian Magazine & Publishing Association.