²² Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

²³ And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

What does it take to build a house? For all those who are in the construction trade, or for those who have ever built a house, you know that it takes a lot of planning, many kinds of building materials, a variety of building tools and machines, many specialized tradesmen with specific skills (and a lot of blood, sweat and tears).

One of the first things you will need to do to begin a building project, is to obtain the land where you want to build a house; then you choose the kind of house you want; you hire an architect to draw up the plans, you take the plans to the local county building permit departments to purchase the necessary permits and find out what the building codes are for each aspect of the building process. 

After that, the actual building begins, with each job being coordinated in a very specific order so that all aspects come together in a orderly fashion. You bring in the excavator, the cement contractor, the framers, the roofers, the electricians, the plumbing and heating people, a well driller, the drywallers, the ceiling stomper, the finish carpenters, the siding people, the painters, the carpet layers, and finally the landscapers to add the finishing touches. 

Throughout the whole process, there are so many details to attend to that it can be mind boggling. And if something is not done right, or not done in the proper order, that section of the building process has to be torn out and done over again.

Everything must be built according to the house plans and each distinct part or job (i .e. styptic system, electrical, plumbing and heating, drainage slopes, etc.) has to meet specific building codes.

If the way something was put in does not meet the standards of the ever watchful eyes of the building inspectors, that too part will need to be done over again or adjusted until you get it to meet the specifics of the building code.

What does this have to do with edification within the body of Christ, the church? Those who edify are called BUILDERS. The English definition for "edify" from Websters Dictionary is: 

1. to build, to construct: hence to organize, establish; 

2. to instruct and improve, especially by good example; to profit morally or spiritually;

The Greek word for edify is "oikodomeo" (Strong's # 3618) and means: to be a house builder, i.e. construct or confirm (be in) build (-er, -ing, up), edify, embolden.

Noah, Moses, Ezra, Nehemiah, Solomon, Joseph (Mary's husband), Jesus, and Paul: what did all of these men have in common? They were all builders, whether it was an ark, tabernacle, temple, carpentry or tents.

Noah 

Noah was called to build a boat at a time when mankind had become very evil 

"... the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." (Gen. 6:5) God told Noah to make an ark but also told him "but with thee I will establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy son's wives with thee." (Gen.6:18)

As he was building, the people of the land were unconcerned and paid no attention to and rejected his preaching, but he kept building. Why? He knew he was building something much more important than just an ark; he was building something to save his family and the progeny that would come after them. He saw the big picture and knew that he was building something for God that was much bigger than what could be physically seen.

Moses

After the children of Israel came out of the land of Egypt and it came time to build the tabernacle in the wilderness, the Lord said to Moses,  "And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it." (Exodus 25:8-9) The book of Hebrews attests to the same thing in Hebrews 8:5 ....who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the Tabernacle. For He said "See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain."

Moses called the people, those who were of a willing heart, to come and help build the tabernacle; by bringing their freewill offerings and giving of their talents and the use of their building skills. 

Exodus 36:1 Then wrought Belleek and Abolish, and every wise hearted man, in whom the Lord put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that the Lord had commanded.2 And Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whose heart the Lord had put wisdom, even every one whose heart stirred him up to come unto the work to do it: 3 And they received of Moses all the offering, which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, to make it withal. And they brought yet unto him free offerings every morning. 4 And all the wise men, that wrought all the work of the sanctuary, came every man from his work which they made;

The people understood they were building something important for the Great Creator God, something much bigger than just what could be seen. They were building a place for God to dwell among them.

Solomon 

Solomon was given the charge by David, his father, to build a house for the Lord.

When Solomon had ended all the work for the house of the Lord, he prayed in verse 13 and then encouraged the people in verse 14-21:

1st Kings 8:13 I have surely built thee an house to dwell in, a settled place for thee to abide in for ever.

14 And the king turned his face about, and blessed all the congregation of Israel: (and all the congregation of Israel stood;) 15 And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which spake with his mouth unto David my father, and hath with his hand fulfilled it, saying, 16 Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build an house, that my name might be therein; but I chose David to be over my people Israel. 17 And it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the Lord God of Israel. 18 And the Lord said unto David my father, Whereas it was in thine heart to build an house unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thine heart. 19 Nevertheless thou shalt not build the house; but thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house unto my name.

20 And the Lord hath performed his word that he spake, and I am risen up in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the Lord promised, and have built an house for the name of the Lord God of Israel. 21 And I have set there a place for the ark, wherein is the covenant of the Lord, which he made with our fathers, when he brought them out of the land of Egypt.

Solomon and the people knew they had built something of great significance for their Almighty Creator God; they saw the big picture, much more than just what could be seen. They had built a magnificent House for God to dwell in, and to have His presence in their midst; a place for the priesthood to work, a holy place for worship and sacrifices, a center for teaching the people the significance of God's kingdom and His laws.

Ezra

In the book of Ezra, is the story of  how Judah returned to the land from their captivity in the land of Babylon.   Their city and the great temple of God had been destroyed at the time they had been taken.  According to God's promise that they would return after seventy years, they were given the decree to return and rebuild God's temple by King Cyrus of Persia.

Jeremiah 29:10 "For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place".

The book of Ezra starts with Cyrus issuing a decree to rebuild the temple. This decree brought the seventy year captivity to an end.

Ezra 1:6 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, 2 Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. 3 Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem. 4 And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem. 5 Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem. 6 And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all that was willingly offered.

The people went up to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple of God, and even as they built, their enemies tried to discourage them from building. (Ezra 4:4) But the leaders supported the people in their work and encouraged them to keep building no matter what their enemies said to try to stop them. (Please see the rest of the Book of Ezra.)

As the people began to build, they too realized that they were not just rebuilding a magnificent building, they were building a house for the Great Creator God and envisioned that the purpose was much bigger than what they or anyone else could see with the physical eye.

Nehemiah

In the book of Nehemiah, we read that Nehemiah was given a report that the walls of Jerusalem were broken down and the gates were burned with fire and it made him weep.

Nehemiah 1:3 And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire. 4 And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven.

As Nehemiah and his men began the rebuilding, there were many enemies that mocked and despised them and tried to stop the building process.

Nehemiah 2:17 Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach. 18 Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king's words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work. 19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king?

Nehemiah and the people knew in their hearts that their rebuilding was far more important than just what they or their enemies could see. They were building again the walls of Jerusalem, the city of their Great God.

Both Ezra and Nehemiah encouraged the people to not only rebuild the temple and the walls but to rebuild their lives; they had been in captivity in Babylon for seventy years, torn from their homeland, had witnessed the destruction of the city of Jerusalem and had seen God's temple torched and burned. Nehemiah encouraged them, and said: "do not be afraid, but remember the Lord which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.

Nehemiah 4:13 Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher places, I even set the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows. 14 And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses. 15 And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work.

Ezra, Nehemiah, and the people understood that the mandate to rebuild was very serious and was something that would have eternal value and that their building of the temple and the wall was for the future generations to come. When they finished building, they read the law, prayed and worshiped the Lord their God (Ezra 9).

Isaiah, the prophet, recognized that believers were called to build people and to restore the paths to dwell in.

Isaiah 58:12 And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.

The Temple of God

The kingdom of God is about building peoples lives, teaching them to live God's way and equipping them to reign forever with Him in that kingdom as kings and priests. We are the spiritual temple that God is building.

1st Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

1st Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

As members of the Body of Christ, the Spiritual temple, we are responsible for building the Kingdom of God and an important aspect in this process is being actively involved in the spiritual building up of those who have turned to a genuine zeal for God and who want to follow Him in all things that He commands us.

What are the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ doing at this time? They are working.

John 5:17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.

And they are building the Church

Matthew 16:18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Jesus knew at an early age what His purpose was.

Luke 2:49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?

Philipiana. 2:5 Let this mind be in you, that was in Christ Jesus;

If we too, are of Christ's mind, as the called out ones, we ought to be fellow laborers with Him, and to be about our Father's business in helping Him to build and edify His people.

1st Corinthians 3:9 For we are laborers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Spiritual Tools for Edification 

As any house builder knows, there are tools that are needed to do the work of building the house. God has given His children several spiritual tools that we can use for building up one another! 

When starting a building project, one of the first things that has to happen, is to be supplied with the power to operate those tools. An electrical pole is set up and power is hooked up with the electric company, just as we need to connect into God's power and make use of his Holy Sprint in operating these tools. Using the fruit of the Spirit is absolutely necessary (Gal. 5:22-23) in implementing these tools.

*The first tool for edifying one another is our example.

Matthew 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

John 13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

Romans 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Titus 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

1st Timothy 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

1st Timothy 5:10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

1st Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

1st Peter 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.

God uses our Christian example as a tool for edifying one another!

Is our personal example building and bringing edification, or is it a stumbling block to others?

*A second building tool is our speech. 

As we speak to others, we are either using words that build them up or tear them down.  Death and life are in the power of the tongue....(Proverbs 18:21)

In our conversations we should choose our words carefully and use words that encourage, that strengthen, that build up and edify one another, rather than words of discouragement. At times, we can sense when a brother or sister is in special need of encouragement, when they are going through hard trials, are being persecuted or suffering from the loss of a loved one. Sometimes we do not even need to say anything but let them talk and then offer them a hug.

We are to speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15) and as we do that, we are able to build people up. Sometimes that may involve exhortation to do the right thing, to not give up, or to keep God's commandments more fully and zealously. It could involve explaining and leading them to a deeper understanding of keeping God's way. If they are coming to us to learn about the things God is opening up to the church in bringing a deeper understanding, as we get closer to Christ's return (Dan.12:9).  We need to diligently study so that we can give them an answer for what we have hope for and for what we believe.

1st Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

Sometimes, edification can be warning and going to a brother to tell them that they are in danger and need to return to keeping the whole word of God.

James 5:19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. (See also Gal. 6:1)

1st Corinthians 12:4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

God has given each of us special gifts to build up each other, the members of Christ's body. When we gather and fellowship we should be edifying one another with our gift. Ask God to show us what our gifts are and ask Him to help us to use them to encourage and edify others.

*The fourth and a very powerful spiritual building tool is love.

The Biblical definition of love and not the world's definition; God's love does edify and God's love does build up. Love always builds up but it must be the kind of love that God defines and not be the worldly kind.

1 Corinthians 8:1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. [Worldly] Knowledge puffeth up, but charity [godly love] edifieth.

And what is the definition of Biblical love? 

It is to keep all of God's commandments, ordinances, statutes, judgments  FIRST, and also to exemplify the kind of love as described in 1 Corinthians 13 and many other Scriptures throughout the Bible.

Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Malachi 4:4 Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.

John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

1st John 4:20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

Whatever we do, it must be done in love; even correction is to be done in love and in the best interests of the person being corrected.  We look to Jesus as our example. While He was on the earth as a man, it was written in Acts about Him:

Acts 10:37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

Matthew 14:14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

 When Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him, He then told him to feed His sheep (John 21:15-17).

1st Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Another way to love the brethren is to pray for them that they would have their eyes opened and would grow spiritually into what God wants them to be; and in that way we build them up.

Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

Even Paul knew he needed the prayers of God's faithful people to help him to accomplish the mission he had been given to do, and prayer was a means of edification, to help build him up to keep him encouraged and dedicated.

2nd Thessalonians 4:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: 2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. 5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

For more teachings on godly love, please study the whole Book of 

1st John and the whole chapter of 1st Corithians 13.

*And the fifth important spiritual tool we have in edifying one another, is God's Word! 

Acts 20:31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. 32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

If friends come to us and need a shoulder to cry upon, we can help them by directing them to God's Word, showing them where to find the solutions in the Bible, which has the answers.

Brethren, the Church is very much in need of edification and rebuilding at this time. We have all suffered from the scattering of the church to some degree or another. We need to heal and grow strong to face the hard times that are up ahead, but most of all to become all that Christ created us to be; a glorious church without spot or wrinkle. He died for us that we could be so.

Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Jesus Christ is our Master Builder, who desires that we become perfect 

(complete - Matt. 5:48), that we would grow spiritually and become spiritual giants in our day and shine for Him and the Kingdom and to help each other to shine for the Kingdom as well. (Matt. 22:39)

Daniel 12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

Dear Beloved of God, Let us work at edifying the church, building up the faithful into a house, a temple of God, as never before; and rebuild the walls that have fallen down as Christ would have us to do.

Constance

for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.