Ephesians 2:22

Mark Stuart

In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the
spirit.  

When I was younger I used to want to be an architect. I studied this for a while and finally reached the point where I was able to make the plans for a house. This house was eventually built and still stands as far as I am aware. I was quite proud of this accomplishment and had dreams that some day I might be able to build houses for the rich and famous; places that people would line up to visit and tell all their friends and relatives that they had been to see. A Biltmore Estates or even Elvis's mansion at Graceland were not out of my reach at that time. Time passed and my passion and interest faded. I went on to other pursuits that didn't involve architecture or building.

As I read the passage from Ephesians it occurred to me that I can still build. Not only can I, I am called to do so. And the building that I am called to build is so infinitely better than a house for someone rich and famous or even Elvis. It is a place where God lives. Think about that for a moment. God. We are all called to build his church. A place for Him to live.

The dictionary defines build as: to cause to be or grow; create or develop. We are clearly called to grow and develop God's house through the Spirit.

Of course, I can't do it alone. In fact, I am not supposed to. I will require the help of all my brothers and sisters in the church of Christ. This is what Paul says. We are to build together.

Fortunately for all of us we don't have to go and hire and architect. I am not sure about you but I somehow feel inadequate for the task and am not sure that I know of anyone that could do the job justice. The chief architect has already been named and the cornerstone has already been laid. It is Jesus Christ.

We simply are called to follow his plans. He has already equipped each of us with various skills and materials that are required for the completion of his plans. His direction is that we use our individual abilities and talents to build his church together.

Although we live in Rome and not in Ephesus, what better calling or greater joy can we receive than to build a place where God lives.