In "Doctrinal Discussion" Don Englund writes:
Leaping out of the pages of the Bible is the spiritually-sounding word of edification — a word that comes from two Greek words meaning “house” and “to build.” …
But how does the process of edification work? First, the work of edifying — building up one another — must be intention-ally pursued. “Let us therefore follow after [pursue] the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another” (Rom. 14:19). In addition, the ministry of edification needs the added ingredient of love. “Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth” (1 Cor. 8:1). And don't forget to add your spiitual gifts to the pursuit of building others up. Identify the gift, and then put it to work! “[While] ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church” (1 Cor. 14:12).
Finally, time in the Word of God is essential for building up others. A failure to spend time in God's Word will virtually guarantee that we will participate in tearing down others in our sarcastic, cynical world. “The word of his grace . . . is able to build you up” (Acts 20:32). As we are repaired and remodeled by His grace, we will be effective in building up others.
Source: Christ, the Triumphant Lord: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 49.
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