Monday, July 29, 2024

PART FOUR: IT BEGINS WITH A FOUNDATION: PLUMB LINE

 

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Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 5 / Part 6 / Part 7 / Part 8 / Part 9 / Part 10 

In part three, of It begins with a foundation, we looked at a datum level, what it is and Who it represents.

Always remember this one truth.

When something doesn’t point you to Christ, it is false.

Christ Jesus is the beginning, the middle, and the end. Nothing can exist without Him. Everything originates from Him, leads to Him, and finishes in Him. I stand in astonishment that this God, who has created everything; the seen and the unseen, has made His abode in me. I feel special and at the same time humbled by the mere thought.

When I read the scriptures and find the parallels in our everyday life, I am stunt. This makes the Bible so much more real and accurate. It is the tangible evidence that God’s Word is not a myth but statements of proof to the doubters.  

Whether we live in a house or an apartment, a palace or a tiny house, the building principles still applies to each project. And the great Architect reveals these principles almost on every page of the Bible.

The building of God's house demands purity—particularly in doctrine. Therefore, we must be careful how we build and who we carry a yoke with. An unequal yoke leads to doctrinal contamination and incremental error. It jeopardises accurate transgenerational building as well. God is all about reaching the entire the family. Therefore, it is vital to rely on the Holy Spirit to show us the accurate way. One that pleases the Father at all times.  

“Jesus is building His Church through the Holy Spirit. Dependence on the Holy Spirit involves dying to the old life.” Dr Sagie Govender.

Eph 2:21

21In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord. (KJV)

The Holy Temple is the bigger picture. It is the purpose of our walk on this earth. And as a chosen one, you are part of this temple. Therefore, it is important to count the cost every time you each a new phase. Because you will be shaped and smoothed by Him. We must be framed and joined together with Christ. He is the cornerstone; we are the living stones.

Each of us has a different road to travel. Not one of our roads is the same. Yes, there are similarities, even resemblances, but our processes will differ from each other. As a born-again child of God, you pioneer into a new frontier—to become a mature son. A begotten son. One that only you can walk, but we all have the same destination. In Christ.

A pioneer is looking for new territory for expansion. Explores new ways of designing and building to surpass existing technologies.

Edification is the strengthening or building up of the Church—God's spiritual house. God's Manifest Presence strengthens the Church, motivating believers to serve and worship Him with greater zeal.

He is the way to the temple—the Church of God.

Dr Sagie Govender

After we have set up the datum level, we need a plumb line to build accurately. Our temple needs walls and gates and if the foundation is skewed, the walls will crumble under any pressure, and the gates destroyed. Even the pathways will be crooked, so we must make sure that our doctrine is sound. We must be innovative and intelligent. We must break away from the old to embark on the new.

PURPOSE OF A PLUMB LINE

Photo credit: Getty/Wittybear
 
In construction, the plumb line is an essential tool for the construction.

Purpose: A plumb line is used to establish a true vertical reference. It’s crucial to ensure that structures like walls are perfectly upright.

A plumb line utilizes the law of gravity to discover proper angles, reveal the most forthright path from top to bottom, and keep things plumb or level. A plumb line doesn’t alter or shift with the impulses of the carpenter. It remains true, and all work must line up with it or gamble being crooked.

The carpenter must follow this plumb line as well. He cannot create his own rules or principles and build as he wishes. No, he must stay true to the plumb line. The Father holds the plumb line. Jesus, the carpenter, remains true to it and the Holy Spirit leads you into the truth. He makes sure you stay on par with the plumb line.

How It Works: It has a weight (called a plumb bob) attached to a string. When the weight is suspended, gravity pulls it straight down, creating a vertical line1.

BIBLICAL APPLICATION

Amos 7:7-8 Amp

Thus He showed me, and behold, the Lord stood upon a wall with a plumb line, with a plumb line in His hand.

8 And the Lord said to me, Amos, what do you see? And I said, A plumb line. Then said the Lord, Behold, I am setting a plumb line as a standard in the midst of My people Israel. I will not pass by and spare them anymore [the door of mercy is shut].

2 Kings 21:13 KJV

And I will stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria, and the plummet of the house of Ahab: and I will wipe Jerusalem as a man wipeth a dish, wiping it, and turning it upside down.

Often, when a plumb line is mentioned in scripture, we see a forthcoming judgment. This comes from a failure to live by the Commandments of God, the plumb line of faith and devotion. We must implement the culture into our lives; Acts 2:42: Doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer. It aligns us to the purpose of God; our foundation remains solid and judgement has abstained.

We will be tested and measured by God’s righteousness and the holy standard that is exemplified by Jesus’s life. Due to Israel’s failure to live “true to plumb,” God brings about the necessary consequences of Israel’s sinful behaviour. He sent his son to die on the cross to carry these consequences and offer it up to the Father so that you can be a true vertical representation of Christ.

The vertical line represents God’s plumb line. The horizontal line represents the string lines needed to build. More about this in the next part.

We must manifest the victory of Christ in our lives.

Eph.2:6

and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

Rom. 8:17

Now if we are children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

We are crucified, buried, raised, and seated with Him. We are joint heirs with Him.

Just as Jesus overcame, we need to overcome in His name. Although we may be cast down, we are never destroyed. We are more than conquerors through Him. The resurrection of Jesus is the bedrock of our faith. We are seated with Him as victors and need to manifest this victory in our daily lives in THREE AREAS.

· VICTORY OVER SATAN - [RESULTS IN RIGHTEOUSNESS]

· VICTORY OVER WORLD - [RESULTS IN PEACE]

· VICTORY OVER FLESH - [RESULTS IN JOY]

[1]. VICTORY OVER SATAN

JESUS OVERCAME SATAN.

Col.2:15

Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

WE ARE TO ENFORCE THE VICTORY OF CHRIST OVER SATAN

Matt.16:19

"And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

Mark 16:17

"And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;"

Luke 10:19

"Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you."

Rom.16:20a

And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.

Eph.1:22

And He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be head over all things to the church.

When we enforce the victory of Christ over Satan, we establish the RIGHTEOUSNESS of the Kingdom of God.

[2]. VICTORY OVER THE WORLD

JESUS OVERCAME THE WORLD.

John 16:33

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

OVERCOMING THE WORLD RESULTS IN THE PEACE OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

HOW TO OVERCOME THE WORLD
2.1. WE MUST NOT LOVE THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD.

1 John 2:15

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

2.2. WE ARE NOT TO GET ENTANGLED WITH THE AFFAIRS OF THIS WORLD.

2Tim.2:4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

2.3. WE ARE NOT TO CONFORM TO THIS WORLD.

Rom.12:2

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

2.4. WE ARE TO DIE TO THIS WORLD.

Gal.6:14

But God forbid that I should glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

We are in this world, but not of the world (John 17:16).

We overcome the world by declaring the gospel of peace. It must be our ambition to occupy till He comes. Being busy with the business of declaring the gospel till He comes.

Luke 19:13

"So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, `Do business till I come.'

Rom.15:20

And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man's foundation,

[3]. VICTORY OVER THE FLESH [Controlling the carnal nature]

JESUS OVERCAME THE FLESH BY:

3.1. REFUSING TO TURN STONE TO BREAD.

Matt.4:3-4

3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." 4 But He answered and said, "It is written, `Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'"

3.2. STAYING ON THE CROSS.

Matt.27:40

And saying, "You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross."

3.3. SUBMITTING TO THE FATHER'S WILL.

Matt.26:39

He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will."

We are to do likewise.

Col.3:5

Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

1 Pet.2:11

Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,

JOY OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS THE RESULT WHEN YOU OVERCOME THE FLESH .

When we manifest victory over these three areas, we demonstrate the kingdom of God.

Demonstrating the kingdom of God is possible only through the Holy Spirit.

The Bible says that the Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost (Rom.14:17).

Isaiah 28: 16

“See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation.This is an assurance of the unmoveable kingdom, with Christ as the foundation. Jesus Christ is the “precious cornerstone” (see Mark 12:10; Romans 9:33; 1 Peter 2:6).

As the Lord builds His kingdom, He will ensure it is perfect in every way.

Isaiah 28:17

“I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line.” There is no crookedness or corruption in the Kingdom of Heaven.

As a plumb line is not dependent on the thoughts or the convenience of the tradesman, so is God’s moral law, not subject to the beliefs of man. The standard of righteousness remains true and clearly defined, as God's revelation has been delivered to us. Wise men accommodate their lives to God's "plumb line," like diligent workers who modify their work according to true vertical and horizontal lines.

Zechariah 4:10 KJVAE

For who hath despised the day of small things? For they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth.

It is so easy to forget that we are a work in progress. Especially when things don’t go our way. But it is in these moments we must reflect and press in to overcome the flesh. We must overcome Satan, and we must overcome the world. Unless we don’t, we will stay in this wilderness longer than we supposed to or stagnate completely.

Take this time of reflection to truly be still and listen to the still, small voice of God. Act on what He shows you, lay down what needs to be laid down.

Grace and peace to you.

Stay connected to receive more on how to set up your foundation. 

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 5 / Part 6


 

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PART ELEVEN: PRACTICAL WAYS TO APPLY THE CONCEPT OF THE PLUMB LINE IN MODERN LIFE.

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