Brighton Road Baptist Builders

The writer of Ecclesiastes, in chapter 3, observes: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: … a time to tear down and a time to build …” (v1,3). May we look to God for wisdom to know when it is time for ‘tearing down’ and when it is time for ‘building up’.
 
The Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth that the authority the Lord had given him and his fellow workers was “for building you up rather than tearing you down” (2 Corinthians 10:8, 13:10). In fact, Paul writes not only to the church at Corinth, but also the church in Rome, in Ephesus and in Thessalonica with this same reminder or instruction to “build one another up”. It seems that they, as churches then, as perhaps we also, as churches today, needed reminding of this basic command …
- “… encourage one another and build each other up ....” (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
- “Each of us should please our neighbours for their good, to build them up.” (Romans 15:2).
            - “Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.” (1 Corinthians 14:12)
- “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Ephesians 4:29)
 
From Christ Jesus, who is the Head, “the whole body [of the church], joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” (Ephesians 4:16). We, as church, are “co-workers in God’s service” and “God’s building” (1 Corinthians 3:9) made from “living stones” (1 Peter 2:5). So, as each of us plays our part, “… each one should build with care.” (1 Corinthians 3:10)
 
However, we, as church, have a common enemy who tempts us always to tear one another down – because of hurt, pride, jealousy, insecurity or whatever reason or excuse we may give. May we instead, submit ourselves to God, resist the devil, and we can be assured that he will flee from us (James 4:7).
 
May we choose to “serve one another humbly in love” (Galatians 5:13), “encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace” (2 Corinthians 13:11), “be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2), “love one another deeply, from the heart” (1 Peter 1:22), for “… love builds up” (1 Corinthians 8:1). “For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.” (1 John 3:11)

Revd Michael Hogg