The apostle Paul closed the second chapter of his epistle to the Ephesians with these words, "In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord. In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit" (Eph. 2:21, 22 ).
He is here referring to Christ Whom he had presented in the previous verses as the chief cornerstone of the church. The whole church is based upon Christ and His cross, and is built by Christ through His Spirit. The point which we should note here is that Paul speaks of the church being built. Not only is Christ the foundation, or cornerstone, He is the one Who builds the church, bringing in the right persons at the right time.
That is the way every building is erected. The roof cannot be built before the walls are put up. The rooms cannot be set off before the walls are erected. Thus also Christ builds that church step by step in a particular way. Through the Old Testament He used chiefly the seed of Abraham. At Pentecost He begins to use people from every nation, tongue, and tribe. At the right time and way Ruth, Rahab, and Naaman were gathered from the Gentiles; but always the right persons at the right time are by the Spirit of Christ brought in and placed where they ought to be in the church.
It will be, you may be sure, a beautiful building, with all the parts of the blueprint, God's counsel, fulfilled in the smallest detail with the right kind of person. No one will be overlooked. There will be no mar or scar in that body. It will be a beautiful church.
Adam and Eve were beautiful and lived in a beautiful garden. But you can be sure the church will far outshine Adam and Eve in their glory. In fact we shall be above the highest angels, who will serve us. For we shall be like Christ in His glorified human nature.
Be thankful then for what God is working for you.
Read: Revelation 21
Meditations on the Heidelberg Catechism
Through the Bible in One Year
Read today:
1 Chronicles 28 ; 1 Chronicles 29:1-30
Romans 5:6-21
Psalm 15:1-5
Proverbs 19:18-19
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Quote for Reflection:
Preaching that does not convict of sin is fundamentally corrupt. How could that be preaching of the Word of God to sinful saints that does not convict of sin? It must convict of sin, not merely in the shallow sense in which it is frequently understood and practiced in Methodistic circles, so that one is convicted of sin once in his life and then he is saved and the matter is settled: but it must convict all the hearers of sin constantly. And convicting of sin it must rebuke the sinner so convinced, i.e., severely censure him, so that he feels utterly condemned and undone before the face of God. But it must also exhort, comfort, lead to the cross, to the resurrection, to the forgiveness of sin and the righteousness which is in Christ Jesus by faith, lead to the glory of the inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away, admonish to persevere even unto the end and to keep the eye on the Light that flashes from the tower on the pier, till the safe harbor is reached. – Herman Hoeksema (Standard Bearer, Vol. 10)
Additional Info
- Date: 19-July
