Edification — The True Christian’s Agenda

Edification. Do you know what that word means? Do you know what it means — to be edified? Do you realize the place that it holds in the life of a TRUE Christian?

Just as in the days of ‘ ministry, hordes of people are willing to gather in a “religious” or “church” setting, but only a few actually come away with the “prize”, if you will. In other words, lots of people have no problem “going to church”. What people have a problem with is submitting to the agenda that is associated with church!

First, let’s define “edification” so that we’re on the same page. The word “edification” comes from the word “edify”. You’ll find both words in scripture. The total occurrence of all forms of this word is 20 — starting in Acts 9:31 and ending in 1 Timothy 1:4. There are variances, but studying these verses will drive the point home. Missing the message associated with edification can and will be devastating . . . to everyone associated with the person who fails to understand. Consider these definitions:

NOTE: To find a counterpart word in the Old Testament, perform a concordant study on the word “strengthen”. For additional uses of this word in the New Testament, perform a concordant study on the words “build” or “built”. Please note, however, that the latter terms usually only provide “types” of edification as they usually discuss building, literally.

Back to the point-at-hand, does edification sound like something that you want to take part in? I should certainly hope so. Interestingly, the vast, vast, vast, vast, vast majority of people that are part of the “Christian scene” have not set their hearts upon edification. THIS, folks, is the gist of today’s message.

HOW DETERMINED ARE YOU TO BE EDIFIED?!?!?!

People want to be used man. People want to have favor with the pastor. People want to participate on committees and be in church programs. People come to service. People give in offerings. People carry their Bibles. People listen to Christian music. People go to conferences, buy books, subscribe to magazines, and listen to so-called Christian tapes all day long. In all of these things, however, again, very few people have made up in their minds that they want to be edified. For this cause, because they have not pursued TRUE edification, many professing Christians are weak, sickly, uninformed, ignorant, unstable, blind, unwise, unfaithful, apathetic, unskilled at handling the word, etc.

Now, how in the world (when you look at it) could people be involved in all of the aforementioned things, but yet have the characteristics we just mentioned? Well, if you don’t pursue Him, you will not find Him. Proverbs 2 informs us of some stipulations that have been established. In all that some people do, if they don’t do these things, they will not be edified. Consider Proverbs 2, the list of items in that chapter, and the promises associated with doing said things:

(Proverbs 2:1–22)
My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of . For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path. When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things; Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked; Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths: To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words; Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her . For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead. None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life. That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous. For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it. But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.

For easy entreatment, here are a couple of lists associated with Proverbs 2. The first is a list of commandments/charges presented at the beginning of the chapter:

Folks, this reflects edification and its benefits. The list of commands reflects the commands to be edified (and our part in the process). The second list reflects the FRUIT of an edified person. The life of a person that has not been or is not being edified will not reflect these things. They’ll reflect the opposite.

All that being said, let’s round out this lesson by taking a brief look at some scriptures that highlight how feels and thinks about edification and what our heart should be concerning this matter.

• Acts 9:31 — Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied. One of the markers in the early church is that they were edified. They also walked in the fear of the Lord and the comfort (i.e., urging) of the Holy Ghost.

• Romans 14:19 — Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. Not only are we called to pursue edification as individuals, but we are called to engage in things that edify others — helping others to be stronger and better in Christ. Romans 15:1-2 also speaks on this matter saying, “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.”

• 1 Corinthians 8:1 — Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. Everybody talks about love, but few understand it. This passage speaks to how knowledge is, basically, dangerous without love. Having knowledge only provides us with information. It is not until we know what to do with what we know that we can make the proper impact. Love (implying a grasp on wisdom in this passage) is an edifier. The next time someone claims to love you, ask yourself what they have done to EDIFY you. Charity EDIFIETH — it continues to edify.

• 1 Corinthians 10:23 — All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Many people in and around church are concerned about what they can and cannot do. Few people are concerned about what they should and should not do. Paul clears this up with the statement in 1 Corinthians 10:23. While he found many things to be lawful (the word “all” was not literal), that wasn’t the issue. Paul wanted to make sure he was doing things that were beneficial to him — things that would impact him negatively. He was concerned about what was expedient. We should strive to live the same way. We should strive to do things that edify us. Don’t be like “fake Christians” who spend time looking for loopholes in ‘s standards. They fail to realize that the loophole they find is actually a noose.

• 1 Corinthians 14:12 — Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. This is a good one for all those people out there that want to be “used.” never told us OR inspired us to seek such things. He told us to seek to excel to the edifying of the church. If you commit to holiness, you’ll walk in love. If you walk in love, you’ll edify the church.

• 1 Corinthians 14:26 — How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. This verse speaks of impact from a church service. ALL THINGS AT CHURCH (WITH ALL BEING LITERAL) SHOULD RESULT IN EDIFICATION!!! ANYTHING THAT DOES NOT CONTRIBUTE TO EDIFICATION SHOULD BE REFRAINED FROM!!! EVERYTHING THAT IS ENTERTAINING SHOULD BE STOPPED!!!

• 2 Corinthians 10:8 — For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed…. The authority that the Lord gives to those in leadership is meant to facilitate edification. See Ephesians 4 for more clarity. It says: (Ephesians 4:12-16 ) ” For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of , unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”

• Ephesians 4:29 — Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. The things that come out of your mouth should be edifying. The things that come out of your mouth should reflect the truth. The things that come out of your mouth should not do damage. NOTE: The truth hurts disobedient people. Don’t you dare be silent when it comes to God’s word! This is so critical that warned us that we would give an account of every idle (i.e., useless) word that comes out of our mouths.
  
  

• 1 Timothy 1:4 — Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. Be careful when seeking or listening to information. Everything we receive concerning Christ should result in “godly edifying”. The endless barrage of books, tapes, and TV shows from those that don’t truly know is ridiculous. They cannot edify you. Make sure that you don’t give heed to fables (i.e., fiction), pay too much attention to genealogies, and engage in the asking of silly questions that serve no good purpose. wants you to be edified. Work with Him.

That’s it for today. Are you clear about edification? If you weren’t before, you should be now. Seek the Lord, especially in conjunction with the exhortations in Proverbs 2, so that can bless you in accordance with HIS purpose.

When you commit to being edified and edifying others, your life will never be the same.

Until next time, keep the word and be blessed!

Cry Aloud: Volume 28, Issue 12 — Edification — The True Christian’s Agenda
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