The church grows like a building made of living stones stacked upon another (1 Pet. 2:5). Jesus is the cornerstone, the apostles make up the foundation, and we rest upon them, “built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit” (Eph. 2:22). Physical buildings—the tabernacle, temple, and our cathedrals—all dimly reflect the beauty and glory of the heavenly Jerusalem which has descended upon the earth (Rev. 21:2). The word of God, the gospel, brings us together in Christ and teaches to speak words of edification, words that build one another up. James addresses sins of the tongue that tear the brethren down.