The Lord's Church — Built To Last!
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesWhen the first explorers entered Peru, they found huge, impressive buildings that may have been standing for 2,000 years. These ancient Inca structures (see pictures) were built of hand-hewn rocks of different sizes and shapes. Some were 3-sided, some 4-sided, some 7-sided, and even some 12-sided. Without the use of mortar, they were fitted together so perfectly that they stood for many centuries, even through earthquakes.
The Lord builds His church in much the same way. The Bible pictures the church of our Lord as a spiritual building, with each Christian being a block in that building. Peter said that we, “as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house”? (1 Peter 2:5; cf. Hebrews 3:6). And Paul said that we are “being joined together”? (Ephesians 2:21 – NKJV) and “are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit”? (Ephesians 2:22 – NKJV).
Even though Christian people with a variety of backgrounds, abilities, interests, and needs make up the Lord’s church, being united in a common purpose is a necessity in successfully carrying on the Lord’s work (Matthew 28:19-20; cf. Acts 4:32; Romans 15:5-6; 1 Corinthians 1:10; 2 Corinthians 13:11; Philippians 1:27; Philippians 2:2; 1 Peter 3:8). When we let the Lord do His work among us, shaping us and assigning our place in the structure, we become part of a strong, solid edifice (Ephesians 4:11-16).
Yes, we are all different. But God is building an enduring church of which we are a part (Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 10:17; Ephesians 4:4). The magnificent Inca buildings will eventually be dissolved (2 Peter 3:10-12), but the glorious and pure church of our Lord is built to last (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 2:19-22; Ephesians 5:23-27; cf. 2 Corinthians 11:1-2; Revelation 19:7-9).