As "living stones," believers have a relationship to one another as well as to Jesus Christ. He is the foundation (1 Cor. 3:10, 11) and the chief cornerstone of Cod's church, the temple that he is building for eternity (Eph. 2:20-22). He places each stone just where it ought to be. And if that stone is out of place, it may cause others to stumble.
But keep in mind that we are "living stones" and we have an influence on one another. The New Testament uses the word edify to describe this influence. It comes from the Latin word edificio, which means "to build." When Christians edify one another, they build up one another and make the church strong.
How can the "living stones'" edify one another? Several personal admonitions from Paul, the master builder (1 Cor. 3:10), help to answer that question.
We help to build each other when we practice love in all we do and say. The Corinthian believers were very proud of their "knowledge" of spiritual things (1 Cor. 1:4, 5), but they were using that knowledge to attack one another, not to help one another. How true it is that "knowledge puffs up" (1 Cor. 8:1). The believer who thinks he "knows it all" and monopolizes every Bible study discussion or committee meeting is only proving that he is proud and ignorant of his own basic need for Christian love.
Love "builds up" because love accepts others, even when there are disagreements. Love is patient and kind and creates an atmosphere in which people can understand each other and help each other. Love doFinally, we edify one another by exercising our spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 14:12, 26). Some of the Corinthians thought that spiritual gifts were toys to play with, so they were using them in a most unspiritual manner and bringing division and disgrace to the church. Each believer has at least one spiritual gift; and as good stewards, we must use our gifts in the power of the Lord and for the glory of the Lord (1 Peter 4:10, 11). "Let all things be done unto edifying" (1 Cor. 14:26).es not compete or compare. It seeks only to build people up and glorify the Lord.
We build others up by a godly example (Rom. 14:1-15:4). The Roman assemblies were divided over how to practice the special diets and days given to the Jews in the Old Testament Law. The weaker saints, who may have been converted Jews, felt obligated to practice their liberty in Christ. What a dilemma!
The answer? First, Paul admonished the stronger believers not to despise the weaker members because of their legalistic approach to the Christian life. Then he cautioned the weaker saints not to pass judgment on the stronger members because they were enjoying their freedom in Christ. But then he spoke to both groups and warned them not to do anything that would cause somebody else to stumble. When a "living stone" stops helping others, he starts to hinder others by his bad example.
So, the question we ask about "questionable things" is not "Can I do it safely?" but "If I do it, will it hurt somebody else?" The mature Christian can afford to set aside some of his rights so that he might show love to others and help them grow in the Lord. When our four children were small, my wife and I tried to be very careful about where we put knives and scissors, and about whether we closed and locked the doors. We were also careful about the kinds of books and magazines that were left around for little eyes to see.
Keep in mind that the mature Christian lovingly "gives in" to the weaker Christian so that the weaker Christian will be kept safe and be allowed to mature. We must not allow the immature brother or sister to stay immature. The whole purpose of Paul's admonitions in Romans 14-15 is to help the weak saint become a strong saint. Too often the weaker saints enjoy staying that way, like little children who will not grow up and accept new responsibilities.
Believers edify one another by their speech (Eph. 4:29). When God created the first man and woman, he gave them the wonderful gift of speech, a gift that we too often take for granted. Paul warned against "corrupt communication," which Greek scholar Kenneth Wuest translated "very word that is rotten and unfit for use" (The New Testament: An Expanded Translation, Eerdmans, 1961). Things that are rotten infect other things, and the decay starts to spread. One morsel of gossip, one off-color joke, one unloving statement, and Satan goes to work.
The best way to keep our speech from rotting is to make sure it is "seasoned with salt" (Col. 4:6). We must never say, "Now take this with a grain of salt!" We must put the "salt" into our speech by obeying God's Word, speaking the truth in love (Eph. 4:15), and sincerely seeking to edify others.
Notice also that in both Ephesians 4:29 and Colossians 4:6 there is an emphasis on grace. We should follow the example of our Savior and have God's grace poured into our lips (Ps. 45:2).
As a radio Bible teacher, I receive a great deal of mail, and I must admit that some of it needs to be salted. On the other hand, I receive letters that edify my heart far more than my radio message edified the listener who wrote to me. Sometimes I hear from dedicated pastors or missionaries telling how God is answering prayer and building the church. Or it may be a note from a young couple sharing how God is blessing in the raising of their children. These letters minister grace to my heart because they magnify Jesus Christ.
We certainly can edify others by our praying (Col. 4:12). I like the New International Version translation of this verse: "Always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured." Prayer can be hard work. Sometimes it feels like you are in a wrestling match. As we pray for others, the Spirit of God can work in their lives and build them up in the faith. They will know the will of God and stand firmly in it. They will mature and have full assurance in their relationship to the Lord.
One of the greatest "tools" for edifying others is the Word of God (Acts 20:32). The Word of God is able to make us "wise unto salvation" (2 Tim. 3:15; James 1:21), and then, after we are saved, able to build us up and make us spiritually wealthy. There is an inheritance waiting for all believers who will take the Bible seriously and make it a vital part of their lives.
Vance Havner once said, "in a day when the living faith of the dead has become the dead faith of the living, just as America needs to get back to the Constitution, so the church needs to return to the cross and the Bible."
Finally, we edify one another by exercising our spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 14:12, 26). Some of the Corinthians thought that spiritual gifts were toys to play with, so they were using them in a most unspiritual manner and bringing division and disgrace to the church. Each believer has at least one spiritual gift; and as good stewards, we must use our gifts in the power of the Lord and for the glory of the Lord (1 Peter 4:10, 11). "Let all things be done unto edifying" (1 Cor. 14:26).
If each member of a local church would discover, dedicate, and discipline his or her spiritual gifts, and put them to work for the glory of God, we would see our churches grow and experience a new dynamic. It is my guess that about 15 percent of the members of the average church are really actively serving the Lord. The rest are spectators, cheerleaders, or critics. Sometimes the fault lies with the leadership of the church. It is so set in its ways that there is no opportunity for others to participate. The same people "hold" (but don't use) the same offices, and the new people (if there are any in the church) are not allowed to serve.
Believers as builders
The church of Jesus Christ in this world is a glorious temple that God is building, though we cannot see the total edifice now. As "living stones," our responsibility is to find the place where God wants us to work and to be faithful in that place. We also have the privilege of praying for and encouraging other "living stones" in many parts of the world as we build together.
Anybody can go through life and work with Satan in tearing things down. Christians are working with Jesus Christ to help build his church, and what they build will last forever.
Josaburo Bando writes from Japan, where he serves as pastor.
