Stepping Stones: Who Are You Building a Tower With?

March 1, 2012

Transformational Thought

A couple weeks ago, Feb 20, we talked about conflict and unity. Where there is unity, there is much strength. Even when people are unified for the wrong reasons, you can see the synergy and power that unity itself can generate.

The world had only one language after the flood in Genesis. Soon after, the people decided to build a great city with a tower that would go to the heavens. Why? They weren’t interested in honoring God, but in making a name for themselves, and sticking together - versus being scattered over the face of the whole earth. Knowing that this would be an ongoing temptation for man, God confused the language of the people and scattered them all over the earth.

Unity in and of itself is not necessarily good. Many aspects are involved in the concept of unity: brotherhood, loyalty, allegiance, and how to organize the group. But there are 2 key starting points to achieving unity. First, what is the motive; second, what is the object or cause that unifies the people? So, we need to make sure we are pursuing Godly causes with Godly motives. The oneness we seek must be in Christ and through Christ, which reunites us with the Father and honors our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Those people in Genesis truly were powerfully united. But their purpose was prideful and offensive to the holiness of God. They were not seeking to reunite with God. They were pursuing equality with God, actually trying to be like God with divine acceptance and status, but through their own human effort.

Building a tower to the heavens to be like God, it sounds ridiculous. “I would never do that,” right? But we act and think a number of times each day with that same “my kingdom come” mentality. We idolize or focus on ourselves first, and don’t bring God into the picture until we become desperate or until someone else reminds us that God is part of our lives.

If we unite to seek power or success, focusing solely on human effort, for human rewards, from human motivations, we displease God … and are destined to ultimately fail. This especially holds true for the church. We must be focused on Christ, not on the building, organization, or denomination.

Today, take a look at those you are uniting with - like family, coworkers, friends, organizations … for what goal … and with what motivation? Where is Jesus and the gospel in this pursuit? Be focused on honoring God, not yourself. Always recognize your total dependence on Him. Let us stand together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. Life is your decision, so choose well.

Prayer
My Father and my Lord, Forgive me for the times that I've united with others to accomplish something, focusing on selfish ambition and desires rather than honoring You and accomplishing Your will. Help me to always focus on You more than any organization or ambition. It is my desire and goal to honor You in all I do. If you have me in organizations, encourage me to be Your influence in those lives. I pray this and all prayers for the One who teaches about true unity, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!

The Truth
Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.
Philippians 1:27

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: ‘Til we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:
Ephesians 4:12,13