The church, as we took note yesterday, is not only going to be a beautiful work which our God is bringing into being, it is also a perfect habitation or dwelling place. We do well to take note then of what we looked at briefly yesterday. Here it is again, "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).
Take note of the fact that the church is here presented as fitly framed, as a holy temple and a habitation of God. Fitly framed means it is beautifully designed. All the parts not only fit perfectly together, but also serve each other perfectly. Let us not overlook the fact that the church was, in inscrutable wisdom, designed by the all-wise God. We must not listen to the false doctrine which preaches that man decides whether he will or will not belong to the church, by accepting an invitation and deciding then how big that church is going to be. God designed the church and decided every member and where that member would be in that body, which is the church. It will be beautiful and perfect because God decided to the very last member of that body, who it would be, and did so eternally.
It will be a holy temple and thus a perfect temple. Our almighty God is not trying to get as many as He can into the church. He designed the exact number of members and who they are. It will be holy, and that means there will be no hole in it because someone turned down His offer.
The almighty Spirit of Christ builds it, and no man can stop Him, even as no man can stop an earthquake. Believe that it will be a perfect church. Believe that because the almighty God gathers its parts, that is, its members. No building decides its size, shape, and any detail of it. As man decides a building in every detail, so the almighty God decided and gathered every member of the body of Christ, His holy, catholic church.
Read: Romans 9:16-26
Daily Meditations on the Heidelberg Catechism
Through the Bible in One Year
Read today:
2 Chronicles 1 ; 2 Chronicles 2 ; 2 Chronicles 3:1-17
Romans 6:1-23
Psalm 16:1-11
Proverbs 19:20-21
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Quote for Reflection:
"Good works are the best ornament; these are, in the sight of God, of great price. Those that profess godliness should, in their dress, as well as other things, act as becomes their profession; instead of laying out their money on fine clothes, they must lay it out in good works of piety and charity...." ~ M.Henry on I Tim.2:9-10
Additional Info
- Date: 20-July
