"A Perfect, Finished Foundation"

 

Ephesians 2:19-22 "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of GOD; and are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF being the CHIEF CORNERSTONE; 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."

     The Bible sometimes describes the church as a "building" (v.21). The LORD JESUS CHRIST is the CHIEF CORNERSTONE of this structure, with the foundation composed of the divinely inspired writings of the Apostles and Prophets (v.20). Individual "living stones," which represent believers in the church age, comprise the superstructure. All of GOD's children are "fellow citizens" of Heaven and part of this "household of GOD" (v.19). Notice the dependence of these building components. The church is "build upon the foundation" (v.20) - our faith rests solely on GOD's final infallible revelation to mankind (1st.Thessalonians 2:13 pictured above; 4:1-2; 2nd.Timothy 3:16 pictured below; 2nd.Peter 1:21:3:2).

     For us to be properly fitted and built up in the faith, we must gain an increasing knowledge of the WORD of GOD. The spiritual process of being "fitly framed together" (v.21) includes our absolute reliance upon and alignment with the CORNERSTON HIMSELF, JESUS CHRIST. HE must be the HEAD of all things, including every aspect of our life. We need to study the WORD each day, pray without ceasing, commune with the LORD, and daily strive to serve HIM aright; as we do so, the HOLY SPIRIT will shape us into the kind of stones that rightly fit and function in GOD's building - CHRIST's body - and that are a light in this dark world. GOD dwells within the church; it is HIS "Holy temple" (vv.21-22). The world should be able to recognize that we are a part of this building, and it will when we yield ourselves to the ministry of the HOLY SPIRIT. Remember, in order to be useful for GOD, we must do all things "through the SPIRIT" (v.22). Are we allowing GOD's SPIRIT within to open our heart to the WORD and direct our path ? DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

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