Some Assembly Required

The Box had a picture of what was inside, but before opening it, we noticed the words “Some Assembly Required.” Every local church should be clearly marked, “Some Assembly Required.” Sometimes we see the sign “Men at Work” along the thoroughfare, and it is a warning to be careful. Sometimes when we come upon the scene we see a number of men leaning on their shovels and not much is going on. Would it not be wonderful if we could be assured that God was at work in the church and anyone who came by to visit would have no doubts about it? Which sign should be posted outside your assembly, God at Work, or Men at Work?

Isaiah makes it clear that God wants to work. Sometimes we get in the way. “His work is before Him” Isa. 40:10. No amount of work that we do without a moving of the Holy Spirit can save a single soul. John put it this way: it’s “Not of blood, not of the will of the flesh, not of the will of man, but of God” Jn. 1:13. We are His work and workmanship. I must say it again. “We” are his work, (you and I) are his work, and he is not finished with us yet. Be assured, when He is done, God will let us know, and He will take us home.

The fact that we are still here is evidence that there is still work to be done on and in us. It is His Word that He uses in His work. When God works it shall be seen of all. “And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” “Prepare ye the way of the LORD.” How does God work? “Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain” (40:4). Sometimes I am too high for my own good. God brings me down a peg. Sometimes when I am too low, God lifts me up. There are times when God holds me against the straight edge and it is clear that I am crooked. Then there are the “rough” places. I still have many jagged edges.  God has still much to make plain. Yes, his work is before him. We are God’s building project and God is not finished with us yet. There is still some assembly required.    -id