Bishop Jacob Afolabi, Senior Pastor, Christ Chapel Bible Church

 

September 2018

by Bishop Jacob Afolabi

People in modem societies are too advanced to build anything without the input of an architect or a designer. But there are still some parts of this world where such progress have not been registered, and men still build new structures from their basic instincts and not from the foundation of scientific or technological knowledge.

Likewise, people build their lives from basic instincts, instead of from the revelation of the Word and the Mind of God

The advancement in knowledge was a prophetic proposition from God Himself. God saw that man will rise to a lofty level of instructions and wisdom;

But thou, 0 Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” (Daniel 12:4).

Communication between peoples of all nations, through modem methods has truly led to an explosion in scientific and technological advancement.

This world was fashioned by a Designer. It was built by a Great Builder. It was inhabited through the hands of a Mighty Shepherd, who led all men to take possession and fill the empty spaces of all the parts of the world.

“ Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.”

“For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.”

 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands.

” And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.

“From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. 

“God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. 

“For in him we live and move and have our being.’[ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.”

“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill. 

“In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 

“For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”   (Acts 17:22- 31).

  • There is a remarkable Order because of the way the world was designed.
  • There is an enduring Stability because of the way it was built.
  • No one can point to an error or a mistake in the operations of the world and the surrounding heavens, from their beginning until now, and forever.
  • Why then should anyone refuse to trust the budding and the supervision of their lives, in the hands of this great Architect?

Why should people reject the voice of this great builder, who is always calling, “Come unto me….” (Matt.11:28). There will surely be a lot or regrets for a lot of souls after this time life have been spent. (Matt.13:47-52).

Jesus Christ is the Great Architect of lives — all living things owe their existence to Him. “Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” (John 1:3).

  • An architect may be hired by one who has the recommendation of his friends, But, his work must surely prove itself to be sound.
  • Christ has proved Himself to be believable, trustworthy, faithful and Kind. But people still reject Christ for several reasons.
  • We need to examine ourselves to see if we have anything to do with It III (Mark 7:13).

The building of human lives is one of the most challenging tasks. We do need the instructions and the guidance of the Great Architect of lives.

Why would anyone still live and plan in ignorance, when an architect is available?

If you desire to build to last, like God the Architect of the world built it to last;  then listen to His advice, His wisdom, His counsel, and His corrections. (Acts 20:32).

Too many lives are being built without a Designer and without an Architect. Be wise and not foolish. Build your own life to last with the help of Jesus Christ, the Great Architect and Builder of Lives, whether human or mere nature.

 

About the writer

Nigerian-born Bishop Jacob Afolabi is Senior Pastor at the Christ Chapel Bible Church in Ottawa.  he is the recipient of many community awards, including the 2017 Black History Ottawa Community Builder award, for his many years of community work. He is the founder of the Ottawa Pastors’ forum and has  contributed inspiring articles in community newspapers and commentary on community radio stations, as well training a new generation of pastors. He can be reached at: [email protected].