Pardon our mess, Under Construction           

“So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.” 1 Corinthians 14:12 NIV

A lot of public businesses cannot afford to close during a renovation project. Signs are posted throughout the business stating, ‘Pardon our mess, we’re under construction to better serve you.” Churches also cannot afford to pause preaching the good news of the gospel on Sundays, so when appropriate, signs are displayed ‘Pardon our mess; Under Construction.’ It is not only the brick and mortar of the physical building that needs renovation over time, but the spiritual condition of the body (the real church) that needs a makeover, and that may start with the proper display of our spiritual gifts. Knowing and understanding our spiritual gifts may take time and putting them into practice may take even longer and the process could get messy. So, ‘Under Construction’ signs may become necessary.

Paul addressed the church in Corinth concerning their abuse of spiritual gifts. They weren’t using them properly and the misuse was dividing the church and causing confusion for outsiders who attended. Spiritual unity and harmony were missing. They were doing their own thing, and the church was not being edified.  Paul did not scold them for their desire for the gifts but for failing to seek those gifts that build up the church, and to use them in a proper manner. Paul wrote, “But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.” (1Cor.14:40 nlt) The Corinthian church was indeed under construction and I’m sure it got messy.

We may not have the same problems of the early Corinthian church understanding and misusing our spiritual gifts. But we are capable of exalting ourselves, ignoring others, or even hiding our gifts keeping a blessing from the church body for which they were intended. All of us are still under construction so even if those signs are not visible, may we see them around each other encouraging one another to pardon our mess for we are all under construction to better serve each other.