BE BUILDING ACCURATELY, NOT IN VAIN!
BE BUILDING ACCURATELY, NOT IN VAIN!
Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men. —Acts 17:11-13
Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him and explained to him the way of God more accurately. —Acts 18:24-26
Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. —Psalm 127:1
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” —Matthew 7:24-27
Indeed, unless our “house” is built according to the Word of God, we are laboring in vain and that house will come crashing down. All will be done in vain. We need to adhere to the Word of God, checking out the truth for ourselves and listening to others who are more mature in the faith than we are.
The Berean Jews heard the message the Apostle Paul was proclaiming, but they did not believe just because he said it. No, they checked it out for themselves. This ought to be the same for us. When we listen to someone speaking the Word of God— whether on the radio, a pastor or anyone anywhere— we ought to check for ourselves that what they are saying is true. I am sure the Apostle Paul was so excited to see these Berean Jews searching the Word of God daily and many coming to salvation after confirming what Paul said was true— “Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men.”
But then we need to be open as well to other believers who can help us grow in our walk with our Lord. Apollos was a powerful preacher with the information he had, but he needed “explained to him the way of God more accurately.” He did not have the complete message that needed to be proclaimed— “he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John.” So when “Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him and explained to him the way of God more accurately.” Let us be like Apollos and be open to having others help us as we serve God that we might do so ‘more accurately. Otherwise, we may “labor in vain.” Dear Father, please help us not to be laboring in vain, but to be sharing Your ways accurately and being open to others who can help us do so. May this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Precious Son Jesus. Yes, so may it be! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yUcC93khzU