Over the past year we have been doing several building projects. We have put windows in classrooms, moved our library and pantry to make more room for dining in the fellowship hall, painted the youth department, covered the basketball court making it a more usable activity building and just last month finished a complete remodel of our kitchen.
This has been a lot of work, and expensive in some areas, as well as caused some inconvenience. There were some classrooms that could not be used, new shelving for the pantry, sorting, moving and reshelving the books in the library. The kitchen was out of commission for over a month (and in Baptist language that is forever). There were many messes to clean up as the windows were put in the classrooms (sheet rock and dust is horrible and hard to clean up).
There was an expense incurred in all of these projects. Windows, metal, wood, insulation and appliances, as well as flooring, ceiling and plumbing are all somewhat costly. However, God is good and all was done without incurring any indebtedness!
When all was said and done, we had an inspection from the State Fire Marshall. After walking the facility and checking the projects completed he informed us of some areas that were in violation of. EEK!!! Not sure how that happened but it did. He explained what was good and what was going to need work. He said that I should be watching my e-mail and he would send a formal report.
Sure enough, in a couple of weeks we had a report of everything checked…what was good and what needed attention. Then on the back page was a detailed report of items that were found in violation. We needed to contact a company to help us get the items “up to code” to pass inspection.
You see, the state has a list of items and codes that must be followed to make a building safe for usage and protect all that are using it. When something does not meet compliance, the inspector makes note and advises a correction to make the building or establishment safe for everyone.
In our building & construction endeavors we did not set out to do things wrong or be in violation of any codes. We just did not know it was wrong or did not meet the code. However, we have been made aware of existing violations and are now working to comply, be safe and legal. We could resist and say, “Nah, don’t think so!” But that could be quite costly in fines and possible closure of affected areas.
Nope, we are making the corrections as it is the right thing to do legally and morally. We will comply with the state’s request and be ready for the next inspection to receive a “Passed” stamp on the report.
All of this can be quite frustrating as well as stressful (has been for me, anyway). But it made me think about life-death, heaven-hell and judgement (because everything in life is a sermon, illustration, or article).
See, the Bible tells us that everyone will die and then the judgement (Heb. 9:27). That means that when we die we will be judged, inspected as it is. Our lives will be revealed before God…the good, the bad and the ugly, as is said.
God has a set of rules, codes, you could say, for us. As our building was judged/inspected according to a set of rules, so your life will be judged/inspected. Many people will say that they were good, kept most of the commandments, treated others fairly, went to church and all that. But they will be found deficient if that is all there is. They will be in code violation.
Scripture says that none is righteous (sinl ess/perfect/good enough, Rom. 3:1012). The only thing that makes you good enough to pass inspection (judgement) is a personal relationship with Jesus (John 14:6). God gave us His Word, the Bible, a book of codes or instructions on how to live our lives (2Tim. 3:16-17).
As we did our construction project, we did what we thought was good enough…it wasn’t. We go through life doing the same, living life the way we think is good enough. It may look good, sound good and be pleasing to others, but it is not what God’s word says (Rom 10:9 & Eph. 2:8&9). Just like we should have consulted those who know building codes for the correct way to build, so we should consult God’s Word to live this life and prepare for the next life…eternity.
Consulting the professionals can save time, money and prevent disappointment. Consulting God for eternal life is the same way. Let’s be found ready for that inspection for eternity when it comes!
Working toward Compliance Bro. Tim
