Building On God’s Blueprint

 As I’m sure we all know and understand, the Bible is God’s specific plans and blueprint for His church. Scriptures have been given “for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Notice that God has given us the Bible so that we may be complete for every good work. God has given us everything we need! Then why is it, as you look out at the churches across the world, that so many churches are not following God’s blueprint? If God “has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Pet. 1:3), than why do so many people seem to be so far off base when it comes to following God’s word?

I think the fundamental problem in churches today is a lack of respect for God’s Biblical authority. In other words, people don’t want to listen to what the Bible has to say on certain matters, they would rather use their own opinions. We are chosen by God to be builders in His kingdom (1 Pet. 2:5). We are builders and thus we must build on God’s blueprint. This does not mean we can change God’s blueprint to fit our lifestyles and opinions, instead we follow the blueprint that has already been laid and we continue the good work that has already been established in Christ’s church.

Instead of building on God’s blueprint, many churches and Christians today add to God’s blueprint. It’s important to understand the difference. “Building on God’s blueprint” is continuing with the teachings of the Chief Cornerstone (1 Pet. 2:6). It means that we are building upon the foundation that Jesus Christ and the Apostles built. It means that we are following the same blueprint that God gave them to continue building the kingdom of Christ. “Adding to God’s blueprint” means that we have decided, on our own accord, that God’s blueprint isn’t good enough and so we will make changes so it can fit my lifestyle or opinion. So many denominations today are founded on the writings and opinions of men who were uninspired.  In 2 Tim 4:3, it says, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have the ears tickled they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires.” We should beware of changing God’s blueprint. God has given us everything we need. God has given us His words to live by.

As we go through life, we should always be following God’s blueprint. We should be building on God’s blueprint, not adding to it. We should do things God’s way, not our own way. I think when Christians have a healthy respect for the Lord and the blueprint He has given us, we can truly begin to be great in God’s kingdom. It’s time for us to make a choice: do we put on our hard hats and start building on God’s blueprint, or do we take out our pens and start adding to it. Only one way will lead to heaven.             Eric