Christian Living

The Two Blueprints

by paul hoffmaster
11/20/22
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God has a purpose for every individual.  The world would be a different place if people would only recognize what He desires for them.  What we tend to do is create our own formula of what constitutes a Christian.  To enforce our beliefs, we petition God to help implement our blueprint.  We sprinkle our plans with Biblical verses that we think will help reinforce our efforts.

What we see so often in Christian circles are self-employed builders of Faith.  The neo-Christians tend to build their Christian character around materials from their old life.  They have used things like “gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble” to build a Faith that will be less challenging to their way of life. (I Corinthians 3:12)  Corrected Blueprints of God’s plans have turned Believers into self-centered orientated groups, instead of outward expressions of God’s Grace.  The Bible teaches that the day is coming when the “self-employed” Christians will have to face a review and testing of their lives.  God’s purifying fire will break down any aspect of their lifestyle that is not compatible with the Word, while at the same time preserving their eternal standing. (I Corinthians 3:15)

If Christians are honest with themselves, we will readily acknowledge that many of our plans have flaws and inconsistencies.  There are times we experience rough roads in our Christian journey.  We have our ups and downs.  We take two steps forward only to slip back one, yet upward and onward we press on to the “finish line.”  When will we realize that conformity to God’s Blueprint will result in a steadier and more consistent walk.  Any lulls in our lives will be times of refreshing, not attempts to regroup.  God’s plan for His people is backed up by a 100% guarantee that He “is able to keep us from falling and to present us faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.” (Jude v.24)

Our Christian walk is a growing experience, not a trial-and-error exercise.  When we follow His Blueprint, it will be a building experience.  The Apostle Paul encouraged the Philippians to be confident that “He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)

Paul identified the reality of trials in his own life when He stated, “…I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin, which is in my members.”  When carnality raises its ugly head, it is usually the result of our own desires.  In the middle of bearing his soul, Paul cried out that his victory is not through his own effort but through Jesus Christ his Lord. (Romans 7:23-25)

There have been times that I have resurrected my own blueprint with the objective of displaying a greater maturity only to find I left my child-like Faith behind.  It did not take long for my wood, hay, and stumble to crumble around me.  I urge every Believer to put their blueprint in the circular file and open up the Biblical blueprint.  Building our lives through Biblical specifications will lead to heights unimaginable.  We must remember we were bought by the blood of Christ.  We no longer belong to ourselves, but to the author and finisher of our Faith.  God has a plan for our lives and He does not need any suggestions on how to implement that plan!