HOW ARE YOU BUILDING, WHAT ARE YOU HOLDING ON TO?

This phrase just dropped into my spirit ‘build what will last for eternity and hold on to what cannot be lost’

Wow! What can we build that we last for time and eternity and what can we hold on to that can never be lost? Jesus had some things to say about building; for one thing, he made us aware that lives are built the identical way houses are built, from the foundation up.

When houses are being built in earthquake-prone areas, for example, great care is taken over the design of the foundations and walls, the same as in hurricane or tornado-prone areas. Just as natural disasters like hurricanes and tornadoes can rip up houses, devastate large areas and render people penniless and destitute so do the spiritual hurricanes and earthquakes that are part of human existence.

The Bible uses graphic language and metaphors to illustrate this, for example in Matthew 7:24, Jesus spoke about the winds, storms, and rains that beat upon the house, in the 14^th Chapter the incident of the storm that arose as the disciples crossed the sea of Galilee also illustrated human susceptibility to disaster.

The apostle Paul said, every building and work will be tested by fire and only that which endures will last in eternity. In this case, he was talking about the fire of God’s judgment. (1 Cor. 3:11-15)

So we see hurricanes, storms, rain, winds, and earthquakes as symbolic of trials, testing, and judgments that every person will experience in this life or eternity.

This is true for individuals, nations, and ministries, everything will be tested by fire, storm, wind, and earthquakes, in a way it is a blessing in disguise if earthly trials expose the frailty of what we have built on the earth for then we have the opportunity to rebuild.

However, we need to take the opportunity now to examine how we are building our lives.

Matt 7:24-27

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.  But anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”

Jesus said anyone irrespective of age, status, religious inclination, or nationality who follows his teachings will build what will endure.

The kingdom Jesus brought will endure forever, it is an eternal kingdom, long after time has ceased the kingdom of the eternal God will endure. Listen nations, lives, and ministries are built on ideologies; this is why the battle to control your mind is the fiercest battle you will face.

The devil seeks to control what you believe because what you believe will determine what and how you build, this is why Satan seeks to control the educational systems of this world and pollute them with worthless ideologies and creeds that will perish in time and eternity.

As we examine this subject there is a great danger to be aware of and to overcome is the error of taking biblical principles to advance human goals or values, this why the one who listens to Jesus and follows his teachings cannot pick and choose what he or she will apply or build with but must be willing to follow the whole counsel of God.

It is not some things that Jesus says, but everything that he has said.

Col 2:6-10

 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

 

A word for ministers

Many ministers of the gospel do not understand this truth, so they focus on pushing the thinking and ideologies of a fallen world to build things that will not last. If the work we are doing must last, it must be built by the words of Jesus and it must focus on building people and not buildings and projects.

Did you notice that Jesus made people his priority? One time the disciples showed him the magnificent temple of worship in Jerusalem with its ornate decorations and décor and Jesus said, even this temple with all its beauty will be pulled down, why? Another temple built by the hands of God was about to be erected, that temple is the believer.

So this is the point, everything that must last must be built on the words of Jesus, and the reality of the kingdom of God, they are the only things that will last in time and eternity.

This is the challenge, are you walking daily in the words of Jesus, are you building your life and those around you with the plain teachings of the words of Jesus and of His Apostles? What is the ideology upon which you have established your ministry? Is it prophecy, healing, prosperity, leadership, whatever it is, if it is not centered on the person of Jesus, his words, and kingdom, it will crumble in this life and in eternity?

In the name of Jesus, I urge you to re-examine your life and build for life and eternity, hold on to nothing that will not endure for that is wisdom.