What’s on your foundation? In His Word 9-5/6-16
According to the grace
of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the
foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds
on it.
1 Corinthians 3:10
Jesus told us about a couple
of men, both wise and foolish who built houses. One took the time to build his
house on the rocks which signifies a firm foundation; the other on the sand
which eludes to a soft and movable foundation. We do not want to build our
home on ground that will shift so why would we want to build our spiritual life
on ground that shifts?
Today we are blessed with so
many avenues for hearing the Word of God spoken, or reading books that are
detailed versions of it and then there are some that are so far off that they
take one verse and build a full following from it. We need to be cautious as
followers of Christ that we do just that, follow Him not the people whom we are
reading or studying under. After all people are fallible, God is not. Sometimes
we start to think we know what to do, what to teach and where to put our selves
in life but if we do not line it up with the will of God we are fighting a
useless battle to achieve the goals we think we want. The world tells us to
follow our own ideas of what is best and what is right but God’s Word tells us
different.
We need to begin with Christ
and then build on it with the Word of God through Bible Studies, Church
services as well as personal reading and prayer.
Let no one deceive
himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a
fool that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it
is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”; 20 and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they
are futile.” 21 Therefore let no one
boast in men. For all things are yours: 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or
death, or things present or things to come—all are yours. 23 And you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.1 Corinthians
3:18-23
So, foundations; what is
your foundation? Is it in Christ alone or did you come into the kingdom through
a side gate? Are you sitting on a bench in church listening to His Word and
just not quite giving it your all to live it each day? Or are you just going to
church for something to do to hang with your friends? Think for a moment about the
day that you asked Christ into your life, into your heart; did you progress
from that point or did you just do it because your friends did and now you want
to go out and do your own thing? The beginning of your salvation is important
because it is your foundation in which to build your life in Christ. Of course
Christ being the corner stone means He will hold the foundation together but
you have to be sure you have that Corner Stone in place in order to build upon
the foundation.
Now and then I dream of
having my ranch-camp-Bed and Breakfast parcel of land. While I was searching
for land in one of the areas I saw a nice foundation standing ready to be build
upon. The land was for sale, the plumbing lines were set but the foundation was
all that was there. I wondered why they never build upon it. Then I remembered
some homes the news had shown after a fire burned through an area and all that
was left of some of the homes was the foundation. Many people have build homes
again on top of the old foundations because the were build well enough that it
was possible; some were not strong enough to be rebuilt and the ground had to
be reworked so that a stronger new foundation could be built.
What am I trying to say?
When we have accepted Christ yet we do not really understand why we need to get
into His Word, our Bibles and find out what to do to strengthen our knowledge
in Christ. We can’t just walk around with Christ and not build a foundation for
our corner stone to be placed in. Our Salvation is in Christ and our Foundation
should be in Him not in a church someplace that we were at when we felt the
need to go forward to pray. Our salvation is not through a denomination but
through the Holy Spirit working in us to bring us to the saving knowledge of
Jesus Christ. Once we accept that He is the Christ who has come to save us then
we can build on that; but the building must come from the best wood, stone,
etc., in the Bible not just by word of mouths who mean well and maybe are from
God but He wants us to dig in His Word. He wants us to be studying to show
ourselves ready and strong and right in His eyes. Don’t let the lack of a group
get you down but begin today reading the Bible and asking God to open your eyes
to what you are reading to truly understand what His Spirit is telling you
today. Listen to the sermon in church and then go home and study the Word of
God using the scriptures listed, but taking the time to see what it is all
about and what God wants for you to place on your foundation to build your life
in Christ.
Why not? Because they
were trying to get right with God by keeping the law instead of by trusting in him. They
stumbled over the great rock in their path. Romans 9:32
When
our foundation is I Christ, and we get the truth straight from His Word then we
will not stumble over the rock in the path because we will see the rock for
what it is. God will bring understanding when it is needed when we walk our
path with Him.
Don’t
take every word you here as truth, study the Word of God for yourself and grow
your foundation today!
Dear
Heavenly Father, thank you that Your Word has been written down so we may grow
in foundation and in strength in You and
then in knowledge and wisdom according to Your Word. Help us to follow You, not
a person, but the One who speaks through them. In Jesus name amen.
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