Covenant Community Services
April 14, 2009
The Plumb Line of God ~ God's People
 
Greetings!
This is part 2 of a 3 part series on the Plumb Line of God. As stated in last week's devotion, a plumb line is a measuring device used in the construction trades as a standard for alignment and to assist the builder in "keeping things straight". The plumb line of God is mentioned in chapter seven of the Book of Amos beginning in verse seven:
 
 "7 Thus He showed me: Behold, the Lord stood on a wall made with a plumb line, with a plumb line in His hand. 8 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 people Israel; I will not pass by them anymore."
 
God's Plumb Line is still in use today. Last week, we talked about the plumb line of God's Word. We can read God's Word to determine our course and God's will for our walk. His Word is a standard upon which we can align our life. Another plumb line of God is His people.
 
God has placed you in a sphere of influence. This sphere includes family, friends, co-workers, neighbors and folks you encounter on a regular basis. These are people God has set around you to influence you and for you to influence in return. Thus, they are part of your sphere of influence.
 
The people in your sphere of influence should contain solid followers of Jesus. Otherwise, you run the risk of becoming more like those you should be influencing. You must constantly ask the question, "Am I transforming my culture or is my culture transforming me?"
 
Often we don't want the help of others. We can be a prideful lot that only focuses on our needs and opinions. However, we need to remember that God designed and engineered our life to be right where we are and right around the people we encounter. We should therefore acknowledge that God has a plumb line that includes His people and cherish and utilize this resource of His grace.
 
The Plumb Line of God's People
 
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. 
 
~ Hebrews 10:23-25 ~
Using the Plumb Line of God's People
 
God's people are the best mirror you have for life. We need to allow God to use His people to speak into our life. The temptation is to isolate and create selfish viewpoints that lead to pride and defeat. To win at life, we need accurate information about our character and condition. This is why God designed the Plumb Line of His People ... for our growth and victory.
 
When I really want to know how I am doing I ask my family or close friends. These folks are my plumb line. They don't lie and they don't have their interests in mind. They are sharing information for my growth and to gauge if my character is becoming more like Christ and less like Randy. As you can imagine, these are not always fun conversations. Often they are brutal ... brutally honest and yet encouraging.
 
It is impossible for us to measure and experience gains without feedback. We need to know our start point and our end. As a follower of Jesus that is pretty simple. My start point is the flesh and my end is to look like, talk like and act like Jesus. These are tough marching orders but our condition nonetheless.
 
To assist us in our sanctification (our spiritual growth to be like Jesus), God has placed us in relationship to certain folks. These folks are placed by God in your life to motivate and and exhort. Exhortation is the ability to help others reach their full potential by means of encouraging, challenging, comforting, and guiding. Thus, the Plumb Line of God's People is here to move you forward and keep you "building straight" with God.
 
This week, allow God to use others to help you become more like Jesus. Receive instruction, wisdom and counsel from those God has positioned around you. Also, be ready to be used by God as a Plumb Line is another's life. You not only receive from the Plumb Line of God's People but you are a Plumb Line as well.
 
Remember, God is the most amazing coach ever. It may seem like you will never "arrive" as a follower of Jesus but you will and you have. Life is a journey that will only begin when we leave this earth and are with Jesus. Be encouraged! God has you right where He wants you and you are growing by His grace. Just remember to check your progress with His Plumb Lines!
For King and Kingdom,
 

Randy Martin
661-326-8304