Build What Really Matters

Bulletin

John A McKee
12/16/18 - Character

We as human beings build a lot of stuff. Some structures are temporary and of little importance, so we throw a few things together and that is good enough. But sometimes we need to make a major investment in a building that is designed to stand the test of time. For a project like that, we hire a competent architect to provide detailed designs, assemble the specified materials and hire skilled laborers to carry out the construction. It all depends on the importance and desired permanence.

Ultimately, no physical structure built by man will last forever. But there is one thing that each of us is building that is permanent: our character. Unfortunately, some approach the task as if the essence of who they are is nothing but a weathered shack. They stumble along simply allowing life to happen around them. They make their daily decisions with no divine guidance and with little regard to long term consequences. They treat their eternal soul as if it has no value. The character of some has been haphazardly cobbled together and it shows.

God wants better for us. When He makes it possible for us to “escape the corruption of the world” (2 Peter 1:4), He is not simply promising to forgive us our past sins, He is teaching us to experience life outside of that corruption. He wants us to build character that is worthy of its importance and permanence. But that kind of building requires the right blueprints.

Only our Master Architect provides the blueprints that will result in sound character. “His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:3). “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Building godly character has eternal consequences; no other building project can compare. We simply must get it right. There are two dimensions to using God’s blueprints that we must consider.

Unrevised, unabridged, unadulterated. When men blend human philosophy and opinions with divine teaching, the result is disastrous. Paul warned the Galatians about such revisionist tendencies. “I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ” (Galatians 1:6-7). A twisted, distorted gospel becomes something else entirely and those who follow such contaminated teaching are deserting Christ who called them.

Diligent Care Required. Robertson L. Whiteside paraphrased 2 Timothy 2:15 in a way that fits our discussion with no violence to the message. Whiteside said, “He must give diligence to show himself approved by the Master Architect, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the blueprints.” He further made application of the principle: “A mistake can be corrected, but a deliberate departure from the plans and specifications is presumption, and cannot be tolerated.”

Building the kind of character that will glorify our Creator is why we are here. May we earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to us and be diligent in applying that divine blueprint as we continue that life-long building project.