Build!

Yesterday the Word spoke to me of living all out, inside out with a goal of benefit to the Kingdom of God.  Today, I saw that to reach that goal, my hands should be busy building others up.  It is the perfect, intended use of the energy that comes from focusing on Jesus Christ--and Him crucified. 

Paul reveals that building others up means laying our own lives down for the Kingdom--just like our savior.  He referred to himself as a free man who chose enslavement to all--for the glory of God.  In effect Paul says that even though all is permissible by grace--anything that hinders another is wrong for the Christian.  The bottom line is this: Building others up should dictate my every action.  An Old Testament verse ties beautifully into this concept:

"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might."  Ecclesiastes 9:10

 Spurgeon points out that the verse says what your hand finds to do--not your heart.  Grand ideas and desires are fine; we are to live all out with Christ at the heart-center of our lives.  But heart desires find their way into reality by the work our hands have in front of us on any given day.  Hearts and hands in unison change the world.  Real faith puts hands and feet into action!

 

My time in the Word walked me on into the passages on spiritual gifts and the greatest gift of all:  love.  The gifts we receive are to flow into the world.  All that God gives us as individuals is intended for building up His Kingdom.  We receive that we might give!  Look for whom the Lord puts in your path today that needs something...a smile, a hug, a word of encouragement.  Little things matter.  The best way to rejoice in all that we receive is to give it away!