So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. – Romans 14:19
The Great Depression of the 1930s had not only affected the United States but had spread to parts of Europe and beyond. In Denmark, furnituremaker Ole Kirk Christiansen’s business began drying up. He started constructing miniature versions of some of his products, and then his mind went to toys. He made pull toys, cars, trucks, piggy banks, and tiny houses, but business was still not profitable. He even tried yo-yos. Christiansen finally settled on making building blocks that would nest securely together. His toy building blocks evolved over time to become bricks rather than blocks. After World War II, they were made of plastic rather than wood and, in 1953, the miniature construction materials were given a new name—Legos.
The Bible often speaks of Christians’ responsibility toward each other. “Build one another up,” the Apostle Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:11. In Ephesians 4:29, Paul says to use your words to build up one another. He recommends singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to aid one another’s growth (Colossians 3:16). Spend time together in worship, the writer of Hebrews says (Hebrews 10:25). Do this building-up in a spirit of love (Ephesians 4:16) which comes through keeping yourself in God’s love, in prayer, and building up your own faith (Jude 1:20-21).
It takes a number of Lego bricks to build anything. In the same way, many believers create a body that is able to build much for the Kingdom of God. Building one another up stirs each other to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24). It gives encouragement and also brings accountability (Romans 1:12, 14:13, 15:5). So then, pursue peace and mutual upbuilding, for you are all “like living stones being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood” (1 Peter 2:5). Be one of the Lord’s “Legos” today for you are essential to the whole.
Today’s Verse: Romans 14:19
So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 1 Peter 2:1-5, 11-17
2 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
