Building Project

The Bible is a book of balancing truths. For example, assurance of the security of the believer is set alongside warnings against falling away. God’s predestination of those who will come to Him balances the command to preach the Gospel to every nation. Warnings against doing good works so as to be thought well of by men coexist with descriptions of the church as a city set on a hill which cannot be hidden, and a lamp which is to be put on a lampstand. But this balancing principle is the balance of a bicycle, not a teeter-totter. The church always moves forward, and it does so in obedience, toward an eternally meaningful goal; not in infinite, meaningless cycles, as taught in eastern religions. Thus the Bible is full of examples of men and women whose actions have consequences for us today. Thus also do our actions have consequence and meaning. Abraham believed God and this was manifested in his leaving his home and setting out for a land unknown to him. (Gen. 12) Having received the command, he was not conflicted over his motivation. Moses, the humblest man who ever lived, was front and center in God’s plan to free Israel. The great “Hall of Faith“ (Heb. 11) is a list of people of action. Our Lord’s half-brother James was dubious of those whose supposed faith was not illustrated by their works. Paul told the Corinthians he was “the least of the Apostles” while encouraging them to “follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” Paul wrote to Timothy, “be an example.” The visible example is built on the invisible foundation of humility. We must pursue both if we are to live in such a way that men will see our good works and glorify our father in heaven. Then we will be examples to one another and the world.

The elders have determined that it is time for Calvary to build a new children’s facility. It is a good example to all men when we obey our leaders and invest in the furtherance of the Gospel. We benefit daily from the good example set by previous generations at Calvary and must emulate it by adding to that patrimony ourselves. It is a good example to provide facilities for the Body of Christ which compare to our own personal living standards. And it is a good example to support the obvious direction CBC is growing.

So as we go forward we do not do so merely as “good soldiers.” Recall that between the command to build the tabernacle (Ex. 25) and its actual construction (Ex. 35) Israel had fallen into sin, been chastened by God and was deeply repentant. Their humble gratitude to God for His mercy was illustrated by their generous response when the appeal was made for contributions to the building of the tabernacle. (Ex. 36) We see their good works and glorify God 3,500 years later. May we be faithful to do as we are being led, so we may likewise be an example to those who follow after us.

Give prayerfully, joyfully, and liberally to the Building Ministry!