Resources/Articles
End of Construction
But let each man take heed
how he buildeth thereon.
1 Corinthians 3:10
After going through a construction zone, a lady one time saw a sign: “End of Construction - Thank you for your patience.” She told the people in the car with her she wanted those words on her gravestone. Those words truly describe every Christian. We are building our lives on the foundation which has been laid - Jesus Christ.
Something you cannot do is believe the life of a Christian can be constructed without Christ as the foundation. The Corinthian Christians had trouble with carnal-mindedness (1 Corinthians 3:1-3). Growing in Christ is impossible to do with that kind of mind. A Christian has to believe the foundation of his life in Christ is stable, secure, and lasting. If so, he will anchor his soul into the promises Christ has made and fasten himself to the instructions He gives to build his life (John 6:68).
How long will it take to build our lives in Christ? All our lives! It is not like a highway or house where we know the construction will end at some point and the project is complete. The life of a Christian is an ongoing building project. “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit” (Jude 20). Christians never reach the point of reading the sign “End of Construction.” Therefore, patience is needed as we build our lives upon the things Colossians 3:12-15 says must be placed into construction a life which pleases God.
Every physical building constructed should have a solid foundation, but the features in each building vary. The colors, lighting, and flooring are not the same. Some have carpet. Others have tile. Some are blue. Others are yellow. In building a Christian like Colossians 3:12-15, all the qualities are the same. The holiness, love, kindness, compassion, and forgiveness are all alike. Every Christian is “built” the same way. This is what goes into constructing every Christian. These qualities are not optional. They are not left out of some and put into others. All these are to be placed in the design of every child of God.
What makes the project of building a Christian a success is the heart. A submissive heart to the blueprint God has put together. If this heart loves God with its all, the constructing of a Christian will be much easier. When this heart focuses on allowing God to manage the “project” of transforming (Romans 12:2), it will proved God’s good and perfect will. If this heart will think upon good, honest, pure, just, true, and noble things (Philippians 4:8), this “construction project” will be a success. It will take patience to complete, but the desire of each Christian should be to end this proejct with these words: “...enter thou into the joy of thy Lord” (Matthew 25:21).
