Having recently downsized from our larger house to
one about 2/3 in size, it has been a challenge to rearrange things so that the
furniture, clothing, nik-naks and other “stuff” will fit in the closets and the
confines of smaller (and fewer) rooms. We are making progress, and just like a
goldfish adjusts to the size of the bowl to which he is confined, we are
quickly learning that this smaller house is adequate for our needs, with but
one exception—a rather large volume of books that I have written that are still
awaiting purchase and which, until then, need to be stored. After careful
consideration of the advantages of renting a place to store these books, or
building a shed myself, I have come to the conclusion that it is best to
construct a small 10’x20’ storage shed in the back yard. Living in the city of
Fort Worth, the homeowner needs to apply for a permit before he or she can do
anything to the premises that he (and the finance company) might own. Unlike
someone living in the country, building projects of every shape and size
require a permit from the city. This is to assure that you don’t build
something that is unsightly to the neighborhood, or that might, in some way,
affect property values. I can appreciate that; but still, the logistics for
even the smallest of projects is a veritable nightmare of paper work, leg work,
and just plain hard work. Prior to appearing at City Hall, you have to come up
with a complete drawing of the floor plan (2 copies), a side view and front
view showing the layout of the studs, plates, base foundation, and roof line
and pitch. Once the plans are completed, you have to drive downtown to appear
before the permit application clerk, who has you fill out the permit
application, sign documents, prove you are who you claim you are, prove that
you are the owner of the house, and that you do not intend to use the structure
for any sexually oriented business, produce drugs, or use it for any unlawful
purpose. Those last couple of restrictions seemed somewhat strange to me for the
simple reason that those who run sexually oriented businesses or produce drugs
or dope would not be so stupid as to admit it to the city that they engaged in
such, would they? Be that as it may, a half hour of filling out forms qualified
me for the next step in the process. I had to then sit and wait to appear
before the public water department to verify that the location of my structure
would not interfere with any water lines, public sewer lines, etc. Four
clicks on the computer and the clerk was assured my shed would not affect any
under ground water systems (wonder why the permit application clerk could not
have taken care of that and saved me 30 minutes?). From there I was sent to the
permit department where the board reviewed my plans, potential problems, or
something that might conflict with city ordinances. After a half hour
wait (and a quick run across the street to plug the parking meter), a lady came
out and told me they could not approve the shed; it was 40 square feet too big.
Back to the drawing board, and eventually back to City Hall to start the
procedure all over again. Three hours later I made my second trip to downtown
Fort Worth and City Hall. Once I got to the permit department, after a
half hour wait [again], a gentleman came out and said my permit was approved,
but I would now have to wait to appear before the permit issue clerk : “Have a
seat, he’ll call you shortly.” Another half hour wait (with a quick jot
across the street to plug the meter) and the permit issue clerk called me in,
issued the permit, and collected the necessary fee. With paper in hand I
was off to the lumber yard to gather the material and begin the process of
building. However, the city is not through with me yet. Construction is to be
divided into three segments, with an inspection from the city following each of
the segments and prior to beginning the next. Hopefully, by this time next
month I will have the shed completed, painted, shelves built and books moved in
and stored.
My ordeal with the city
reminded me of some rather important truths relative to God’s house, the church
(1 Tim. 3:15). Consider the three words from the title of this week’s article
as they pertain to the building of the only house that is of eternal
significance. First, God has had a plan to save man. That plan is an
eternal plan, “the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord”
(Eph. 3:11). The details of that spiritual structure existed in the mind of God
long before the foundations of this world were ever laid. God would be the
designer, Christ the builder, and the Holy Spirit the organizer. These plans
were “revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit” (Eph. 3:5),
set in motion on the day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2, and passed along
to every generation in written form so as to enable successive generations to
“commit to faithful men, who shall teach others also” (2 Tim. 2:2).
That brings us to the
second word: Permits! When I applied to the city of Fort Worth for a
permit to build a shed, it was the same as getting their authority to do so. No
doubt there are some who attempt to circumvent the need for such a building
permit, and they do it to their own peril. Failure to get the city’s authority
to build a structure can result in the demolition of the structure if the city
ever learns that you have built a shed without their permission. If men would
build the church today, they must do so with the authority of Christ (Col.
3:17). Any “plant which my heavenly Father planted not, shall be rooted up”
(Matt. 15:13). It is true that some who build a shed without the city’s
authority might never get caught. They may be able to escape the eyes of the
ever roving Compliance Code Patrol, never having to give account for
their unauthorized actions. Be assured, however, that no man will ever be able
to escape the all seeing eye of Jehovah. The time of reckoning will come.
Finally, there is the word
perimeters. A perimeter is defined as “the continuous line forming the
boundary of a closed geometric figure” (Oxford Dictionary, On Line). Likewise,
Webster (online) defines it as “the boundary of a closed plane figure; outer
limits.” God has certainly given us liberty in some matters; but there are
perimeters when it comes to what we do in matters pertaining to the
church and our life therein. Those perimeters cannot be crossed, for if we “add
unto them, God shall add unto him the plagues which are written in this book:
and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God
shall take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which
are written in this book” (Rev. 22:18-19). Cain did not respect God’s
perimeters regarding worship, and his offering was rejected by the Lord (Gen.
4:5). Nadab and Abihu did not respect the perimeters, and not only was their
offering rejected, “Jehovah devoured them, and they died before Jehovah” (Lev.
10:2). The lax attitude and disrespect that men have for the ancient landmarks
is appalling. It seems that the prevailing attitude today is that it makes no
difference what you do in matters of religion, so long as you are sincere. The
judgment day will reveal to all mankind that God set perimeters with regard to
the church.
God planned the
church. It was built by Jesus Christ our Lord. If men would seek to set about
establishing a congregation they must do so with the divine permit in
hand. Failure to abide by the perimeters will spell disaster come
judgment day. Yes, let us build; but let us do so according to the divine
standard of God’s word, the plan revealed to the apostles and handed
down to us over the generations.
--Tom Wacaster
