Building Our Lives Right

Yesterday during a Bible study at church, our group briefly discussed 1 Corinthians 3:11-13:  "For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, ¹³ each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is."  More important than a structure itself is that it is built securely upon a foundation.  Our Bible study leader showed how Jesus took aim at hypocrites who focused on appearances and what could be seen by men whilst they neglected to put the teachings of the LORD Jesus into practice.  God looks at the heart--what is under the surface--and repenting of our hypocrisy, hearing and doing what Jesus says is the way to build our lives on a solid foundation.

A point that was made concerning the various building materials Paul mentioned was gold, silver, and precious stones are concealed underground and must be sought by mining while wood, hay and straw are found on the surface.  In the context of Paul's words, the issue at hand is the second group of three materials are all flammable, whilst gold, silver and precious stones can endure the fire.  Interestingly gold and silver can be purified by fire, and it is fire that will "test each one's work, of what sort it is."  Another contrast between the two groups of building materials is the second group is comprised of living things that are now dead and dried out.  Hebrews 9:14 suggests our need to have a conscience cleansed from "dead works to serve the living God" by the blood of Jesus, and good works are not able to pardon from sin or save a soul.  The first grouping is comprised of basic elements (some precious stones) that remain unchanged while the second group slowly will break down and decay into dust.

Paul explained how believers can choose the good foundation of Jesus Christ by the Gospel but build our lives poorly because our thoughts and ways are not His.  We do well to begin a relationship with God by faith in Jesus, but we can ignore or depart from His wisdom.  Christians are all given the choice and opportunity to use the precious materials supplied by God's grace to build a life that will endure by faith in God and His promises, repent of sin, to seek to cultivate godly character and motives to glorify our LORD, to embrace sound doctrine, and obedience to Jesus in the fear of God.  Since believers are the temple of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, He spiritually regenerates us to be fruitful, guides us into all truth, and helps us follow God's will and plans for our lives.  It is our responsibility to submit to His leading, believe God's word and receive encouragement.  God puts our lives to the test long before the final judgment as by fire, for God employs trials, conflicts and relationships to reveal our quality of character--whether it is like Christ or according to the ways of this world.

The only solid and enduring foundation for our lives is Jesus Christ who laid down His life for us, and the way we think, speak and live matters.  Let us be as wise master builders who choose to use quality materials to structure our lives--faith, hope and love--that will endure forever.  We also ought to consider what we adorn our lives with and what storage vessels are allowed to remain.  Paul explained in a great house there were vessels of gold and silver as well as wood and earth, vessels of honour and dishonour.  We are to purge our lives of error and godless chatter as 2 Timothy 2:21-23 affirms:  "Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. ²² Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart."  Holding fast to Jesus, fleeing from sin and pursuing what is good with fellow Christians is the way to build our lives and please God.

Solomon's Wise Request

King Solomon demonstrated great wisdom before he famously requested wisdom from God.  He would write in Proverbs 4:5-7:  "Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. ⁶ Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will keep you. ⁷ Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. and in all your getting, get understanding."  God is the only source of wisdom, and the Bible shows us how Jesus Christ has become wisdom for us through the Gospel.  Solomon's interaction with God who revealed Himself to Solomon reveals a parallel with the way Jesus directed His disciples to pray.

After Solomon offered a thousand sacrifices before the LORD in Gibeon, that night God appeared to Solomon and said, "Ask!  What shall I give you?"  If you were posed such a question, how might you respond?  I suspect our responses would be similar to rehearsed answers of what we would do if we "won the lottery" or if Aladdin's genie emerged from a bottle and gave us three wishes.  Many people are not content with the offer of one thing (or even three wishes!) but would try to secure the biggest and best possible haul by having more than what was offered.  How greedy and selfish we can be!  What strikes me is Solomon's initial thoughts did not concern himself:  on the forefront of his mind was who God was, what God had done, all God had promised, and His call upon Solomon's life.  It is only when we consider these things will our requests be aligned with God's will.

2 Chronicles 1:8-10 provides Solomon's answer:  "And Solomon said to God: "You have shown great mercy to David my father, and have made me king in his place. ⁹ Now, O LORD God, let Your promise to David my father be established, for You have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. ¹⁰ Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of Yours?"  Solomon acknowledged the almighty God's mercy towards his father David, and that God had promised to establish his father's throne forever.  He also acknowledged God's calling upon his life to be king and realised he was incapable to fulfil this calling without God's help.  For these reasons Solomon asked for wisdom and knowledge to judge God's people.  Solomon would experience what apostle John explained in 1 John 5:14-15:  "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. ¹⁵ And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him."  Not only does God hear and answer our prayers according to His will, but He generously provides more than we can ask or think.

In His response, God mentioned many things Solomon could have asked for in 2 Chronicles 1:11-12:  "And God said to Solomon: "Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life--but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king--¹² wisdom and knowledge are granted to you; and I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings have had who were before you, nor shall any after you have the like."  Solomon did not ask for wisdom with the ulterior motive of hoping God would throw everything else in, but he prayed according to God's will to fulfil God's promise and calling upon His life.  When we receive Jesus as Saviour by faith who is wisdom for us (1 Cor. 1:30-31), He provides all we need that pertains to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).  To walk with Christ by faith is to walk in wisdom, and we ought to treasure Him more than all riches, wealth and honour in this world.

Jesus stood outside the door of the lukewarm church of Laodicea and knocked, and He has promised to come in a dine with all believers who open to Him.  Just because a couple is married doesn't mean they live in the same house, eat meals together, have deep conversations, sleep in the same room--or even like each other.  How tragic it would be for our relationship with God to be reduced to a utilitarian relationship, that we only identify as Christians because of what we can get from God, where there is little thought of God throughout the day, and we are more interested in seeing our plans or dreams fulfilled rather than His will for us revealed in Scripture.  Do we look forward to praying with joyful expectation as we seek the LORD and spend time with Him?  In our praying let us remember what God has done, all He has promised, and what He has called us to do and make our requests to see His will accomplished in and through us.

Willing Giving

"So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver."

2 Corinthians 9:7

There is no one more generous and giving than the almighty God who created mankind, for He has given us everything we have and enjoy.  Without us asking God has given us life, and having given us His only begotten Son Jesus we have freely received from Him all that pertains to life and godliness.  God has demonstrated His love for all people through Jesus, and He also loves a cheerful giver.  God loves when people give willingly and cheerfully like He does.  Knowing God loves a cheerful giver encourages us to align our practices to walk in His ways.  The Bible Knowledge Commentary says, "God prizes not the size of the gift (cf. Acts 11:29; 1 Cor. 16:2), but the giver’s sincerity (not reluctantly), spontaneity (not under compulsion), and joyful willingness (a cheerful giver)."

In the Old Testament we see occasions where God's people were moved to give to His work, specifically with building the tabernacle and temple.  After Moses spoke to the people concerning the needs for building the tabernacle according to God's design, people brought freewill offerings on a daily basis.  A point came when their generosity was so abundant the people needed to be restrained from giving by a proclamation by Moses, for as Exodus 36:7 says, "...the material they had was sufficient for all the work to be done--indeed too much."  When David was king of Israel, he told the people his plans to prepare for the building of the temple in Jerusalem.  He asked the people in 1 Chronicles 29:5:  "...Who then is willing to consecrate himself this day to the LORD?"  In giving gold, silver, brass, iron, wood, marble and precious stones, people gave themselves willingly for the work of the LORD.

What I love about David's interaction with the people was his presentation of a clear opportunity to meet needs to prepare for the building of the temple.  David did not lure the people to give by telling them they would financially benefit or reap some blessing:  they already had been blessed and provided for abundantly by God.  David did not threaten them, accuse them of greed, or suggest God's work could not continue without their assistance.  There was no guilt-trip placed on the people for their prosperity that hung in the balance or made it a competition among themselves to motivate giving.  There were not a set goal of goods to be received from the people before the project was committed to.  People were not placed in categories or tiers to receive honour from men for the monetary value of their gifts.  David set a personal example by giving himself, and then he exhorted the people to give unto the LORD.  The passage tells us God's people rose to the occasion.

1 Chronicles 29:6 & 9 says, "Then the leaders of the fathers' houses, leaders of the tribes of Israel, the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the officers over the king's work, offered willingly...⁹ Then the people rejoiced, for they had offered willingly, because with a loyal heart they had offered willingly to the LORD; and King David also rejoiced greatly."  The people gave willingly to the king for the work of the house of the LORD, and King David also rejoiced to see people unite in giving with a loyal, perfect heart.  In contrast to misers who are pained and disgruntled to part with a fraction of what they possess, God's people rejoiced to voluntarily contribute generously to God who blessed them.  Though he does not have as much as the rich, a relatively poor man can give with the generosity of a king--as if he has much more in reserve, can draw upon the wealth of nations, count on profits from foreign trade and daily abundance--because his wealth is in God.

Sincerity, willingness, generosity and spontaneity in giving is demonstrated by Araunah when David asked to purchase his threshing floor.  2 Samuel 24:22-23 says in KJV, "And Araunah said unto David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what seemeth good unto him: behold, here be oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing instruments and other instruments of the oxen for wood. ²³ All these things did Araunah, as a king, give unto the king. And Araunah said unto the king, The LORD thy God accept thee."  Araunah was generous to freely provide valuable oxen and equipment to be roasted in the flames and required nothing in return--and gave a blessing as well!  David refused to offer to God what cost him nothing, so he purchased the threshing floor and oxen.  Both king and subject gave unto the LORD gladly, having been blessed by God continually.  How amazing it is God gives His people the capacity to give with a perfect, willing and cheerful heart unto Him.

When people look at giving to God as an investment, there is no question there is hope of a return of some kind.  People put money in the bank they hope to receive back again--with interest.  Giving to God in this manner is not freely giving as it is with an eye to gain.  To give willingly to God and His work is a sound investment when our hearts are cheerful, not because of what we stand to receive, but as a response to how good God is and all He has already given us.  Giving to God's work in supporting a local church and Christian ministry is viewed by some as optional at best and a drudgery at worst when it is an opportunity to live out our faith in a way God loves.  Paul says we ought not to give because we must but because we can, and may we purpose in our hearts to give to God cheerfully as we receive good things from Him.

God Heeds Our Voice

Though God has all power, wisdom and majesty, He does not crush or trample the will of His subjects.  He does not resemble the cruel dictators who slaughter their own people as well as adversaries, whose closest advisors are only a small step from death due to their leader's suspicions they are as power-hungry as he is.  The history of Israel clearly reveals God was a King who listened to His people, and He allowed them to have their own way.  There would be consequences for forsaking Him and choosing to have a man rule over them as king, but God would not force anyone to submit to Him.  For men "might makes right," yet God is always right and mighty in His restraint and patience.

There came a day when the people of Israel approached Samuel and told him three things:  that he was old, his sons were not devout like him, and they wanted a king to rule over them like all the other nations.  It was at the third point Samuel bristled with indignation, and he brought his concerns to the LORD God in prayer.  1 Samuel 8:7-9 reads, "And the LORD said to Samuel, "Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them. ⁸ According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt, even to this day--with which they have forsaken Me and served other gods--so they are doing to you also. ⁹ Now therefore, heed their voice. However, you shall solemnly forewarn them, and show them the behavior of the king who will reign over them."

God's tone with Samuel and His people was not one of a self-serving tyrant but a kind and loving Father who desired the best for His children.  God told Samuel to heed the voice of the people in all they said, for God knew already the desire of their hearts before they mustered up the courage to say anything.  God said it was He who had been rejected, for the people had forsaken Him and served other gods.  Samuel was to heed their words but also warn them concerning the certain consequences of their decision.  God did not threaten them with what He would do, nor did He manipulate or bribe them by trying to win them to His side.  What more could God do when He already delivered them from slavery, defeated their enemies, provided for all their needs, gave them every blessing they enjoyed, protected them day and night, and made them fruitful in the land He gave them?  If they would not have God who is best and greatest, Samuel assured them they were in for a rude awakening.

When the people were unmoved by Samuel's warning of the great cost that would come with a king they currently enjoyed freely under God's rule by His grace, Samuel rehearsed the words of the people before the LORD.  1 Samuel 8:22 tells us, "So the LORD said to Samuel, "Heed their voice, and make them a king." And Samuel said to the men of Israel, "Every man go to his city."  The almighty God and KING heeded the voice of His people, and He does so for all people today.  Jesus Christ is the KING OF KINGS, and He invites all people to come to Him for salvation, eternal life and to find rest for our souls.  He will not force anyone to come to Him or receive Him by faith, and He has also clearly presented the consequences for rejecting Him:  departure into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his demons.  In this sense God does not send anyone to hell, for it is the sure destination for all sinners, as the souls who sin will surely die.  All who arrive in eternal torment do so because they have intentionally decided to ignore the warnings of Jesus, God's word and His people and go their own way and do their own thing.

It pains our loving God greatly, having shed His own blood to redeem and reconcile lost sinners to Himself, but He will heed each person's voice--and allow them reject Him.  People may refuse to  listen or respond in faith to the voice of the only Saviour Jesus, but God will heed their voice and allow the grave consequences of unbelief to bring death.  We are blessed God hears us and cares about what we think and feel.  All our concerns, worries and anxieties evaporate in His glorious love, mercy, power and sovereignty by faith in Him.  By faith in Jesus Christ the wise choose to heed Him, and that is the place of everlasting comfort, peace, joy and life.