Twelve Building Blocks For Life

Some people have referred to the Bible as God’s love letter to humanity. This book expresses not only God’s love, but also gives principles for living a positive, productive, and purposeful life. Here are 12 building blocks for doing so.

Building block number one is the cornerstone: Your beliefs must be based on a divinely inspired source. The Bible must be the source by which all other beliefs are evaluated. The Bible is a trusted manuscript for living life as God intended and for one’s eternal salvation.  See II Timothy 3:16-17. Do you believe the Bible to be inspired? Why or why not?

Building block number two: Deal with your negative past. You must deal with any unresolved issues and hurts from your past, including home, school, and church. Generational curses must be identified and broken. Refer to Isaiah 43:18-19 and 55:6-9. Name several ways your negative past has impacted your present. 

Building block number three: Understand true forgiveness and practice it on a daily basis.  Forgiveness of yourself and others must happen continually. It is critical to understand that forgiveness is for the benefit of the one hurt, so a spirit of bitterness does not take root. It is not based on feeling but on a conscious act of the will. Read Matthew 6:14-15. Is there a relationship that is not moving forward right now because you are not willing to forgive?

Building block number four: You must cultivate a biblical self-esteem and see yourself as God sees you. You are loved by God and have value as a special creation and uniqueness. Love yourself in a healthy and humble way, knowing your strengths and weaknesses.  See Psalm 139:13-16 and Romans 12:3. What do you love about yourself? Do you know the difference between pride and self-love?

Building block number five: Defined in a biblical way it is not wrong to be successful. Success goes beyond having a great career. It means having a heart right before God and God-honoring goals. It is a personal and spiritual journey, not a destination, that settles for nothing less than God’s ultimate best. Refer to Joshua 1:8. Can you write out a personal definition of  biblical success?

Building block number six: Know what makes a successful marriage, then practice it. Marriages succeed not necessarily because they are “Christian” but because two imperfect people are determined to make them work. They don’t just happen. Take to heart what Ephesians 5:33 says. What are some indications that your marriage is generally going in a positive or negative way? What are three things you can do to improve it? 

Building block number seven: Follow biblical principles of money management, and be a wise steward. Avoid waste. Give to your local church and to “neighbors” in need, to meet the physical and emotional needs of others. See Hebrews 13:5. Are there things you can do to be a more responsible money manager?

Building block number eight: Be involved in an exciting and relevant local church that teaches biblical truth. Attend a church where people are real and not hiding behind religion. You must realize, however, that there is a vast difference between going to church and having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  At some point in time did you stop going to church, and why? What would make you consider going again?

Building block number nine: Know God’s general will as revealed in scripture and do it. Get up, go, and do something, anything, to advance the kingdom of God. Matthew 28:19-20 applies to every believer. What can you begin doing, using your giftedness, to build lives? 

Building block number ten: Have a confirmed calling and vision for your life in accordance with your spiritual gift. Each believer has at least one spiritual gift given by the Holy Spirit for the proper functioning of the Body of Christ. This means living life intentionally with vision and purpose. See Habakkuk 2:3. What makes you excited to get up in the morning? Where do you see your life going in five or ten years, and beyond?

Building block number eleven: Have true confession and be obedient to God’s Word without compromise. This means living a disciplined life, giving up certain things if necessary, and developing an intolerance for sin in one’s personal life. It is refusing to go along with the godless culture and media, and not putting sports figures, movie stars, or musicians, in elevated positions. It might mean a denial of personal desire or prosperity. Being obedient means going where Jesus would go, which may involve getting out of one’s comfort zone. See Matthew 16:24-26. Is your Christian life based more on emotions or obedience? Is there anything you need to get rid of to make your life more consistent with your confession?

Building block number twelve: Know what you believe, and why you believe it, with uncompromising convictions. You need to be able to defend your faith and beliefs against opposition, in the work place, at college, in the home, marriage, and the family. Refer to Romans 14:22. Do you have any beliefs that are simply going along with the culture? Could you make a list of five beliefs you hold with conviction that would not be compromised no matter what?