Apostle Paul writing to the church in Rome tells them, “Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another – Romans 14:19.
The word edify is an architectural term and it means to build a house, erect a building; to build (up from the foundation); to restore by building, to rebuild, repair. This is what Paul says we ought to be doing to each other in the body of Christ, building up one another, not tearing down.
“Let each one of us make it a practice to please (make happy) his neighbor for his good and for his true welfare, to edify him [to strengthen him and build him up spiritually].
Romans 15:2
The responsibility to build up is for every believer in the Body of Christ. We all need building up daily, some of us live in war zones, we work in war zones, we attend learning institutions that are war zones, we are in relationships that are like war zones and by the end of the week, we are wounded and battle-weary. Therefore we desperately need to edify and encourage each other.
How do you build up one another? By praying for and with one another, conversing about the things of God, building hope and faith in one another.
I remember a few years ago when my brother died someone not even close to me sent me a little card with my brother’s name and the meaning of his name. That little gesture was so comforting to me in a time of grief, it encouraged and built me up that time I was in sorrow.
There are so many practical and creative ways we can build up one another; so let’s continue with the building program.
