The Builder of Everything – God the Architect
Introduction
4) For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. 5) And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; 6) But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
-Hebrews 3:4-6 (KJV)
Earlier this year my wife and I renovated our home. And by renovated, I mean we gave it a complete makeover. Almost no parts of the house remained untouched by us or the numerous individuals who did some of the more demanding projects.
While we certainly love our home, the renovation was far more work than we anticipated. In fact, throughout the process we learned from countless others that what we experienced was, unfortunately, the norm. Renovations are just not easy. Delays, order mishaps, scheduling conflicts and challenges abound.
Perhaps the greatest irony of our renovation, and all renovations for that matter, is that even the best homes, the largest, the most opulent, the cleanest…do not remain in perfect shape indefinitely. Whether they’re dilapidated pre-reno or starting to get worn in post-reno, homes just don’t stay perfect for long.
“Building, restoring and home are all concepts that matter greatly to God.”
Much as people hate to admit it, the homes, palaces, dwellings, mansions, forts, shacks and offices of this world constantly need fixing. Sometimes they even require a complete rehabilitation. Is it any wonder why so many home improvement shows focus on…well…improvement?
We love to create new things, restore broken things, and bring the old back to life again. We also enjoy having a place to call home where we can enjoy rest with our families and find foundation amid a constantly changing world.
However, did you know that building, restoring and home are all concepts that matter greatly to God as well? In fact, our desire to create and build is a small reflection of his attribute of creativity.
Moreover, we can learn how much God cares for us by understanding him as the architect of creation. This includes knowing God as the maker of the universe, the builder of his church and the restorer of humanity.
God, the Architect of Creation
The intelligent design of God, or as the Bible calls it, his “handiwork” is seen everywhere (Ps. 19:1) and it declares his glory. The entire universe displays the creativity of the un-created Creator.
God’s creation also showcases his love. He created the universe in six days; meaning he took time to curate and craft a world uniquely designed for his inhabitants where they could live with him in fellowship and relationship.
Acts 7:50 says that God built all things by his own hand. He laid the foundations in the beginning (Heb. 1:10) and the new heavens and new earth will be the apex, or the final result of God making all things new (Rev. 21:5).
Additionally, God’s eternal kingdom in heaven is “not made by human hands” but by God (2 Cor. 5:1).
“God has made everything across all of time, from creation to eternity.”
As such, God has made everything across all of time, from creation to eternity (Ps. 102:25, Heb. 1:2). No matter where you look on the timeline of history, no matter where you go throughout the universe, you will always be face to face with God’s hand-made creation and with his glory.
It is precisely because we were each created by God, for his creation and to be with him that we expectantly await his return (Rom. 8:22). Until then however, eternity remains written on our hearts until we see him face to face as he is in glory (Ecc. 3:11, 1 Jn. 3:2).
God, the Builder of the Church
“God is not just the un-created creator of the universe, he is also the always at work builder of his church.”
God is not just the un-created creator of the universe, he is also the always at work builder of his church.
Every home has an architect, and every family a head, and God is no exception. God is the church’s cornerstone (Eph. 2:20, I Pet.2:4-6), the church’s head (Col. 1:18, Eph. 1:22-23) and its foundation.
Because he is the foundation, the church will never be destroyed (Matt. 16:13-18, 7:24-27). God’s church, and the believer’s salvation are safe in his hands. What God builds for his children needs no security system for he is our refuge and hiding place (Ps. 46:1, Ps. 32:7), a stronghold to the poor, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat (Is 25:4).
“Humanity itself is the crown jewel of God’s creation.”
Christians, or God’s children, also have the pleasure of being fellow-citizens of God’s house and are part of God’s holy habitation (Eph. 2:19-22). What a privilege it is to be part of God’s house and God’s people!
And God is not just the builder of his house, he is its one-hundred percent faithful and reliable steward, preserving his saints for eternity (Heb. 3:6).
God’s church is the visible expression and outworking of his love to the world (Eph. 3:10).
Additionally, those who are of God’s church are family members of the household of God, and are under the faithful care of Jesus who oversees God’s house forever.
God, the Designer and Restorer of Humanity
God not only made the universe and he is not just building his church. He is also the restorer of humanity, and the most spectacular thing God has ever built…is you and me! Humanity itself is the crown jewel of God’s creation.
Each person is a special one-of-a-kind creation by God knit in their mother’s womb, and known from eternity past by God (Ps. 139:13-14, Jer. 1:5). We are made “Imago Dei,” which is Latin for “image of God” (Gen. 1:26).
The Hebrew word for image in Genesis is the word tselem (Strong’s 6745), which means we are representative of God. Additionally, the Hebrew word for likeness is demuwth (Strong’s 1823), which in a similar vein means resemblance. What a privilege!
Moreover, God knows everything about you (Jn. 10:14), he even knows you better than you know yourself! (Ps. 19:12, I Sam. 16:7). We are fully known by Christ!
“The awe of being made in God’s image notwithstanding…God has also bestowed each person with purpose.”
The awe of being made in God’s image notwithstanding, to take things an even greater step further, God has also bestowed each person with purpose.
In Heb. 3:4 the words “builded” and “built” come from the Greek word kataskeuazō which means to be prepared for a special purpose. God has endowed all of creation with meaning and purpose, and we are no exception.
In fact, we are his workmanship (Eph. 2:10) created unto good works that he already has planned for us. We are also called to love God (Ps. 31:23) and others. We have a unique capacity to know God, and relate to him and other people, it’s an amazing gift that no other species in creation has.
However, just like homes in need of repair, or as Solomon refers to us, “cities without walls,” (Prov. 25:28) every person needs to be restored to a right relationship with God. Additionally, each person is in desperate need of repair or cleansing from the adverse effects of sin. While sin was never God’s original plan for man, he always had a plan to save us from it (1 Pet. 1:20).
“Humanity itself is the crown jewel of God’s creation.”
Without Christ, each person is incurvatus in se, or turned in on him or herself because of sin. We are each drawn away by our own lusts (Jas. 1:14) and without Jesus’ salvation our lives will collapse and be separated from him forever (Rom. 5:12). Without Christ we are just like homes that are falling in and at risk of collapse. In fact, we’re actually naturally condemned (Rom. 5:18).
Therefore, we must be “turned back” or restored to a right relationship with Jesus (Ps. 23:3, Jn. 3:3). And this comes by trusting in Jesus’ death on the cross to save sinners (Eph. 2:8-9).
Once a person believes on Jesus Christ by faith, repents of their sins, and confesses him as Lord of their life they will be saved (Rom 10:9-10, Gal. 3:26, Gal. 4:6-7, 1 Cor. 3:23, 1 Pet. 2:9). This is the ultimate restoration, the miracle of being spiritually born again. Salvation marks the starting point of God’s great renovation of our lives. This renovation has a few special aspects to it.
“Praise be to God for his work of restoring sinners and building them back up to be who he had originally created them be before sin.”
First, he makes us new men and women in Christ who is are longer alive to sin but living for God (Gal. 2:20, 2 Cor. 5:17).
Second, we are given a new heart (Ez. 36:26, Acts 15:9) and new eyes that can spiritually discern the things of God (1 Cor. 12:10).
Third, God works to “refine” us and make us more like Jesus (1 Pet. 1:7). This starts with being cleansed from all unrighteousness (Matt. 13:15, 1 Jn. 1:9) and continues on until we are glorified in heaven through God working in our lives through the Holy Spirit living inside us.
As such, the Holy Spirit helps us bear spiritual fruit, fight against sin’s residual influence on us, and walk in obedience to Christ.
Lastly, God rebuilds our lives by guaranteeing us everlasting life with him for eternity (Jn. 3:16, Jn. 6:47, Jn. 10:10). This motivates us to press on and continue to serve God as kingdom citizens and ambassadors while still on earth.
Praise be to God for his work of restoring sinners and building them back up to be who he had originally created them be before sin–the meticulously designed crown jewels of his creation.
Conclusion – Are You Part of God’s House?
In this lesson we’ve examined God as the architect of creation, the builder of his church and the restorer of humanity.
These examples of God as the builder of everything teach us that God values the concept and reality of home just as much as we do, if not more so.
As we learned, God created the universe out of love to be in fellowship with man, or to be at home with him. Even when sin entered creation and corrupted it, God sent Jesus to provide a way for us to come back to him, to find our way home.
“In heaven there won’t be any home improvement shows, just restored people, who have a place they can truly and finally call ‘home.'”
When we turn form our sins and trust him as our savior he restores our lives and adopts us into his family. And as his children we are then part of his house, the church, forever.
God’s house is the home that our hearts yearn for. It doesn’t need repairs; its foundation is sure. It will never need a renovation; it’s eternal. There’s no contractor needed to oversee it, since Jesus forever sustains it. And it doesn’t need an alarm system; it’s fully safe from any harm (Matt. 6:20) for sin will no longer enter.
But do you know the best part about our eternal home? Jesus is and will always be there and our loved ones who have also trusted in him will be too (Matt. 8:11, Matt. 17:4, Jn. 20:16, Jn. 20:28).
Heaven, God’s eternal kingdom where his “house” the church will dwell with him forever, is the ultimate home.
However, the one thing God wants to furnish his home with is you and no one gets to heaven on the coattails of others, their own merits or performance. They only get their by God’s grace (Eph. 2:8-9).
God’s desire is that you will one day dwell in the presence of the most high (Ps. 91:1).
So…will you be in God’s house forever? I know I will and you can know too (1 Jn. 5:13).
In heaven there won’t be any home improvement shows, just restored people, who have a place they can truly and finally call “home.” I hope to see you there!
J.R. Waller, MBA is a Christian lay-teacher, author, and Founder of Every Reason to Believe. He holds an MBA from Rollins College, B.S. in Psychology from The University of Central Florida, Certificate in Christian Apologetics from Biola University, and Bible Knowledge Certificate from The Master’s Seminary Institute for Church Leadership. He is also a two-time Fellow (UCF, The James Madison Institute).
Image Credit: Masquerade Ball by Raimundo de Madrazo y Garreta (Spanish, 1909). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
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