Resources/Articles
The Greatest Ruin
“He that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that built a house upon the earth without a foundation; against which the stream broke, and straightway it fell in; and the ruin of the house was great” (Luke 6:49).
Occasionally you will see a sign posted on a business which reads “Going Out Of Business” or “Everything Must Go, We’re Closing Our Doors FOREVER!” Those statements exclaim the end of a business whose liabilities and costs are apparently too much to justify staying in business. Those signs also signal an end of employment for several people who depended on the success of the business for their livelihood. Great is the ruin of this “house”. Of a greater loss and ruin is one’s reputation and hope. There are signs that signal such a loss – sorrow, pain, guilt, embarrassment, and a dark shadow that lingers for weeks and months to come. Such a loss affects not only the one who is victim of such ruin, but others who are closely associated with the person are saddened and injured. There is no greater ruin than that of one’s soul.
The Soul is Made in God’s Image
God invested a portion of himself in us (Genesis 1:27) and has given us the care and direction of our soul. He has supplied us with the “materials” (His grace, mercy, and love in Jesus Christ) essential to the erection, maintenance, and sustenance of our building – our soul (John 3:16; Romans 5:6-8). We are given the responsibility to build it by the blueprint God has made available to all mankind (2 Timothy 3:16,17). It will cost us our life (Romans 12:1). It will require a daily self-examination (2 Corinthians 13:5). The building of our soul toward maturity in Christ (Ephesians 4:13) comes with diligence (2 Timothy 2:15), pure thinking (Philippians 4:8), and meaningful purpose (Colossians 3:2-4). It is important we consider how we “build” our soul, because everyone will give account of himself to God for the direction his soul has traveled in this life (Romans 14:12).
SIN Delivers a Destructive Blow to One’s Building
Man has become the ruin and wreck of his own soul. It is sad to see a soul who has believed and obeyed the word of the Lord and has lead others to Jesus by his word and conduct become ruined by sin. What he once was is no more. Instead of devotion, his life lacks commitment. Instead of honor, there is shame. Instead of purity, there is immorality. Instead of holiness, he becomes infested with vulgarity and profanity. His life of integrity and reputation has given way to deceit and dishonesty.
Recovering Your Building
There is a way for a soul to recover and “start over”. God does not want anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:9). The outlook from human eyes seems “hopeless”. You fin dthe gospel a way of restoration. Through godly sorrow, genuine repentance, and prayer to the Father, a soul can be reconciled to God, the Great Architect of life. He can “rebuild” your life and bless you with faith, hope, and love. “Rise up and build.”
