CHAPTER 4 : BUILDING POSITIVE STRONGHOLDS (From Aje Pelser's 3rd Year Thesis at MBC, 1997)

At the building site of our new house atSoluta street,SunsetBeach,Cape Town, my father said something quite profound.

' Don't look at the rubbish being taken out,' he said,' look at the building going up!' This triggered some building technology in me and made me consider the process of establishing permanent structures. In the previous chapter, we made sure about the removal of the rubbish. Now, let us see the building going up!

4.1 The house on the rock

Listen to Jesus' words in Matthew 7:24 – 27.

'Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:  and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.'

The location or building site is of paramount importance to the same extent as the good soil is to the sower. Our hearts need to be prepared for the establishment of God's kingdom in us the same way John the Baptist prophetically prepared the way for Jesus Christ.

4.2 The Cost

Nobody even considers moving house or building a new one, unless they are prepared to pay for it. Here is another principle…

Luke 14 : 28

' For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it – lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.''

You must pay for it and you must finish it. The present day apostles are emphasising the need for a finishing mentality in the believers, so that we can finish the work Jesus Christ began and usher in His Second Coming. Hallelujah!

4.3 Jesus is preparing a place for us.

This principle of preparation is prominent in Jesus' ministry of which we have become a part. In John 14 : 2, it clearly states:

' In My Father's house are many mansions…and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.'

We are, in fact, seated right now, with Him in heavenly places. This opens up a new realm of living with God. We see how God prepares from His perspective and our whole life takes on different meaning. We begin to think like our Father. We begin to build like our Father.

4.4 The Plans.

II Timothy 3 : 16 – 17

' All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.'

Once again God's Word has  proved faithful as a blueprint or accurate architectural study and workers' manual for building.

4.5 The Foundation.

The foundation of any positive stronghold must be the precious cornerstone laid by God Himself – Jesus, the sure foundation.

Isaiah 28 : 16

' Therefore thus says the Lord God: Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily.'

Each believer should personalise this scripture in order to build the characteristics of God into their lives. For instance, where it says, 'behold I lay inZion…', replaceZionwith your name. This technological process of personalising scripture is scriptural. Firstly Jesus was the Word become flesh, the extreme example of personalising God's Word. Secondly, Jesus took God's Word literally and acted out the concept of 'I AM the Word', when He read from the prophets in the synagogue and decreed: ' Today that scripture is fulfilled in your midst.' This is a good foundation in itself for builders to apply the principles in this thesis. For, the Word of God is a system of principles which can be applied by the sons of God. The only difference is that there are different levels of responsibility and power in the application of these principles. That is for God to decide, but since we know that faith pleases God and that God rewards faithfulness we have hope and we know that we can move into the depths of our Creator and His Ways.

4.6 The Wall

There are some clear principles regarding the building of any wall in God's Instruction Manual.

Amos 7 : 7

'Thus He showed me : Behold, the Lord stood on a wall made with a plumb line in His hand. And the Lord said to me, 'Amos, what do you see?' And I said, 'A plumb line.' Then the Lord said: Behold I am setting a plumb line in the midst of My peopleIsrael; I will not pass by them anymore. The high places of Isaac shall be desolate, and the sanctuaries ofIsraelshall be laid waste. I will rise with the sword against the house of Jeroboam.'

The Lord stood on the wall made with the plumb line. If the wall wasn't built straight, the weight of God's 'doxa' glory would cause the imperfect structure to collapse.

(Strong's #1391 Greek)

 Bricks which aren't in line cannot work together and support each other to carry the weight of a roof. Similarly, people need to know where they fit in the Body of Christ, so that they can handle the heavy presence of Almighty God and His power. On a more personal level, our life must be in order and built with the plumb line of God's Word to endure and enjoy greater manifestations of His kingdom in us.

The old buildings have passed away, and Jesus said He has gone to prepare a place for us. We must in turn, prepare a place for Him in our hearts. The New Jerusalem will come out of heaven according to Revelation. That means the old earthlyJerusalemmust be done away with so that the new one can come. This is another prerequisite for Jesus Christ's return.

Isaiah 28 : 17  gives more insight on the plumb line.

' Also I will make justice the measuring line, and righteousness the plummet; the hail will sweep the refuge of lies, and the waters will overflow the hiding place.'

Jesus is known as the Sun of righteousness according to Malachi  4 : 2 and is the perfect plummet.

While building the wall, we need to bare this vital principle in mind.

Isaiah 28 : 9 – 12

' Whom will he teach knowledge? And whom will he make to understand the message? Those just weaned from milk? Those just drawn from the breasts? For precept must be upon precept, line upon line, here a little, there a little. For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people, to whom He said, 'This is the rest with which You may cause the weary to rest', and,' This is the refreshing'; yet they would not hear.'

But we would hear. Amen? We will apply this process in building. It is a gradual system of events over an extended period of time that constitutes the completion of a building. Even God took seven days to build His creation. And then God rested! So we take our pattern of working in the building industry from our Father. We rest at the appropriate intervals so that, in the long term, we can build much more and for longer periods.

4.7 Truth bricks 

First of all, Jesus said: ' I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.'[John 14 : 6] Jesus could say so because He had the Spirit of truth in Him.

I John 4 : 6

' We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.'

This was the apostle of love speaking to his beloved followers. He loved the truth.

To emphasise the building quality of truth we go to Ephesians 4 : 15.

' but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him Who is the Head – Christ -'

The Author is explaining the function and effect of the gifts Jesus gave to men, namely, apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. In the creation of truth bricks these men are appointed by God to check the standard of the bricks or building material. God uses the five fold ministry to help Him build His Church, to help Him shape the living stones which make up the church and the truth bricks which strengthen the hearts of believers.

4.8 Love Cement 

Colossians 3 : 14 says: :

'But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.'