Things that build up

TODAY'S SPECIAL: 1 Corinthians 9-10; Psalm 145


TO CHEW ON: "All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify." 1 Corinthians 18:23

We have dwelt in the past on how we as Christians may have freedoms which we intentionally restrict in order to help and not hinder or offend others. Today, let's change our focus from what we shouldn't do to what we should. Let's look at the things that "edify."

[The word edify transliterated oikodomeo, is a word for building. It is used here in the metaphorical sense for the construction and well-being of the church. Used this way it means "to found, establish; to promote growth in Christian wisdom, affection, grace, virtue' to grow in wisdom and piety."]

Edify used in this way appears often in the New Testament. As I look through verses that speak of it, I see them fitting into two categories:

1. How we are edified

• Through God's word. Paul's parting speech to the elders at Ephesis brings this out: "I commend you to God and to the word of His grace which is able to build you up…" Acts 20:32.

• Through church leaders. Again and again the visits of the early church leaders to the various congregation are described as edifying, or building up: Acts 14:22; 15:32,41; 18:23,27.

• Our leaders' authority is for our edification - 2 Corinthians 10:8.

• We're edified through the different roles in which they come to us, such as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers - Ephesians 14:12,29

• Even their scoldings and rebukes are meant to build us up—as Paul assured the Corinthians - 2 Corinthians 13:10.

2. How we edify others:

• Like the early church did to grow, we walk "… in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit" - Acts 9:31. This works itself out in many practical ways:

• We pursue harmony and peace - Romans 14:19.

• We comfort each other - 1 Thessalonians 5:11.

• We seek to please our neighbors and pursue their well-being - Romans 15:2; 1 Corinthians 10:24 (part of our reading).

• We use our spiritual gifts - 1 Corinthians 14:3, 12.

• We take part in corporate worship: "… Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification" - 1 Corinthians 14:26.

• We love - 1 Corinthians 8:1.

Today, let's focus on building others up and being built up through God's word and the Christian community, rather than how close we can live to the line of things that are not lawful or edifying. 

PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for the reach means of edification we have in You and through the church. Help me to build up others today. Amen. 

PSALM TO PRAY: Psalm 145

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Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Are you gifted in the prophetic?

Image: Pixabay

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Romans 11-12; Psalm 138

TO CHEW ON: “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith.” Romans 12:6

When you think of “prophecy” what comes to mind? Are you of the opinion that a prophet is someone who can foretell the future?

Actually, the word “prophecy” in the New Testament doesn’t refer  primarily to predicting the future at all. This definition from my study Bible bears that out:

“Prophecies” - propheteia - means to speak forth. The primary use of the word is not predictive in the sense of foretelling but interpretive, declaring or forth-telling the will and counsel of God” - Dick Mills, New Spirit-Filled Life Bible, p. 1689.

Artist Rebekah R. Jones (from whom I have learned much about Bible art journaling) also formerly administered a prophetic arts Facebook group (Prophetic Arts for Jesus). In an article on her blog, she explains the connection between art and the prophetic. Her helpful definition of prophecy and its function comes from Seth Dahl’s The ABCDs of Prophecy—a book for children. I quote her (quoting Dahl):

“The reason He (God) wants us to have this gift is because of what prophecy does. Look at what it says in 1 Corinthians 14:3: ‘He who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.” These lessons will teach your children that “edification” is “to build up,” “exhortation” is “to cheer up,” and “comfort” is “to draw near” - from “Prophecy and the Creative Community”.

Here are links to the three words in a lexicon, so you can check them out for yourself:

edification: oikodome (Strong's #3619)
exhortation - paraklesis  (Strong's #3874)
comfort - paramuthia - (Strong's #3889)

And here’s the 1 Corinthians 14:3 definition of prophecy in the Amplified:

“But [on the other hand], the one who prophesies—who interprets the divine will and purpose in inspired preaching and teaching—speaks to men for their upbuilding and constructive spiritual progress and encouragement and consolation” - 1 Corinthians 14:3 AMP.

All that to say, I believe we all exercise the gift of prophecy as we build up, cheer up, console, comfort, and encourage each other. And I would submit we can use many means—direct teaching and preaching of course, but also friendship, and the arts (writing, music, the graphic arts) to exercise this gift.

How will you use your prophetic gift today?

PRAYER: Dear Father, help me to be in tune with the Holy Spirit as I use my spiritual gifts. Help me to faithfully use the gift of prophecy—speaking the will and counsel of God—using various means to build others up as well as cheer, console, comfort, and encourage them in You. Amen. 

PSALM TO PRAY: Psalm 138

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Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked AMP are taken from the Amplified® Bible, Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission." (www.Lockman.org)

Are you a body edifier?

Image: geralt / Pixabay.com

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Ephesians 4:1-16

TO CHEW ON: "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers … for the edifying of the body of Christ. … every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love." Ephesians 4:11,12,16

Edify is a word we don't use much in ordinary conversation. Its appearance a couple of times in our reading had me reaching for the dictionary. [My Funk and Wagnalls defines edify: "To enlighten and benefit especially morally or spiritually."]

It's no surprise to see that God puts church leaders in place to edify the body of members (Ephesians 4:11,12).  We expect to be spiritually and morally enlightened by our prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers.

But "edify(ing)" occurs again in our passage. In this second appearance (Ephesians 4:16) it's not the leaders who edify but the body parts  themselves: "…every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love." Simply put, the body edifies itself.

Like our human body parts can edify us, or not (eyes dwell on good, uplifting images versus lingering on things that will tempt us to sin; mouths speak truth, mercy, and love, versus lies, judgment and indifference, etc.) so as parts of the body of Christ we common pew-warmers can edify the rest of the body (along with our leaders) or not.

• We can extend a hand instead of criticize. 
• We can testify of how God is working in our lives instead of just making small talk. 
• We can pray instead of gossip. 
• I could go on, but I'm sure you get the picture...

I ask myself, am I a body edifier in this way? Are you?

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, as a part of Your body and under Your headship, please help me to be a useful, constructive, building-up part of Your body today. Amen.

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Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.