Articles
The Greatest Ruin
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 brake, and straightway it fell in; and the ruin of the house was great” (Luke 6:49)
“Going Out of Business” or “Everything Must Go, We’re Closing Our Doors FOREVER!” Those statements declare the end of a business who liabilities and costs are apparently too much to justify staying in business. Those signs 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 character and hope. Signs signaling such a loss are pain, guilt, embarrassment, shame, and a dark shadow that can linger 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…
This loss such a great ruin, because the soul is made in the image of God. God invested His divine power in us (Genesis 1:27) and has led us with his infinite care and direction. He has supplied us with the “materials” (His grace, mercy, and love in Jesus Christ) essential to the assembly, maintenance, and sustenance of our building - our soul (John 3:16; Romans 5:6-8). From God we are given the responsibility to build it by the blueprint He has made available to all mankind (2 Timothy 3:16,17). It will cost us our life (Romans 12:1). It will require daily self-examination (2 Corinthians 13:5). Diligence will be a special need each day (2 Timothy 2:15). Pure thinking will characterize our spirit (Philippians 4:8). Meaningful purpose comes from identity in Christ (Colossians 3:2-4). All of what we do with our soul has a day of accounting. To God we answer for how we directed our soul in this life (Romans 14:12)…
Sin makes such a wreck of our soul. It throws spiritual devotion into the ditch, replaces peace with worry, and believes hope is a constant barrage of endless pleasures. Instead of honor, there is shame. Instead of purity, there is immorality. Instead of holiness, one becomes infested with vulgarity and profanity. A life of integrity and reputation has given way to deceit and dishonesty…
There is a way for a soul to recover and live again. God does not want anyone to live in the ruin of the house torn down by his/her own hands. In the gospel is the way of restoration. It is a path of godly sorrow, genuine repentance, confession of sin, a prayer to the Father, a soul who once believed and obeyed God can be reconciled to Him. He can “rebuild” your life and bless you with faith, hope, and love…
“Rise up and build”…
