Firm Foundations
What comes to your mind when you think of a foundation? Buildings? Institutions? For the ladies, make-up? What is a foundation? I’m glad you asked! According to the dictionary, it is the basis or groundwork of anything. Having a good foundation in anything, whether it be a building, an institution, or even make-up, ensures that whatever is laid on that foundation remains. The following highlights the importance of having firm foundation. I’m part of a singles group at my church and on one specific gathering, we had what we called “the baffle of the sexes”. Without going into major details on all the fun we had that night 
, I will share with you the highlight of the night…at least for me. So, after playing three rounds of the game and watching my fellow chicas loose, a bonus round was introduced. We were told to build the Tower of Babel with a limited amount of newspapers and staples. We were being judged on the stability, majesty, and height of the ‘building’. Our teams’ strategy was to begin with a firm foundation, and then work our way up. As the building process progressed, I became increasingly aware that our “building” was neither majestic nor tall enough to compete with the guys. Alas, the time was up and we were told to stop building. To my great surprise, the guys’ “building”, although majestic and much taller than ours, toppled over. It wasn’t strong enough; while ours stood standing, despite its lack of height and majesty. So, why was this the highlight of my night? For one, the women won the game (Yay!!!). But most important of all, I was reminded of the importance of having firm foundations.
We all know that before a house can be built, a foundation has to be laid out. A house has no hope of standing without a firm foundation. Likewise, a Christian has no hope of standing without a firm foundation. Jesus eluded to this when He said,”…he who heard [My Words] and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell…” [Luke 6:49, NKJV, emphasis mine]. Without a life founded on a proper relationship to Christ, it is easy to for us to be overwhelmed by circumstances and the attacks of the enemy. In 1 Peter 5:8, the Apostle Peter admonishes us to “Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” [NKJV]. This scripture has never been made so evident to me as when the book, and now the movie, “Angels & Demons” by Dan Brown came out. The book and movie has been out for a while. This book/movie, although fictional in nature, attempts to present fiction as fact. It’s a book/movie that attacks the Christian faith by discrediting the validity of the scriptures, questioning the divinity of Jesus Christ, and ultimately the very existence of God. This book/movie doesn’t phase me one bit though because I know Who Jesus is to me, and who I am to Jesus. But there was a time, a few years ago, when this would have disturbed me. In fact, when its predecessor, The DaVinci Code, came out, I was quite disturbed. I realize now that my foundation in Christ was very weak at that time. I did not have as close a relationship with Jesus Christ as I do now. So, I can see how this movie might usurp the faith of some.
In these last days, I believe it’s time for us as Christians to mature in Christ. We cannot remain babes in Christ forever but we need to desire the “pure milk of the word that [we] may grow” (1 Peter 2:2, NKJV). Maturity leads to a firm foundation in Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “…Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them…is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose…[it] could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.” [Luke 6:47-48, NKJV, emphasis mine]. Studying God’s truth, His Word, and applying it daily in our lives will help us become mature in the faith because maturity stems from practice, and practice comes from continued application of the Word of God. When we become mature in the faith, we will be kept from being “tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, [and] in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting” [Ephesians 4:14, NKJV]. When we become mature in Christ, we will remain standing; we will be able to say like the Apostle Paul, “We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” [2 Corinthians 4:8-9]
Friends, firm foundations are very important, more so in the Christian faith. Without a firm foundations in The Rock, Jesus Christ, our faith will certainly be attacked and will topple. It’s very important to know why we believe the way we believe. We should “always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you…” [1 Peter 3:15]. What is the reason for your faith? Where have you placed your foundation? A firm foundation can be placed on none other than Jesus Christ! He IS the reason for the hope that is in us. Place your foundation in Jesus Christ today by spending time alone in His presence, reading and obeying His word, and by cooperating with Him as He completes the work He began in you. When you place your foundation in Him, you will be able to stand!
With that, I leave you with this song:
My Hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But only lean on Jesus’ Name
On Christ, the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand…
, I will share with you the highlight of the night…at least for me. So, after playing three rounds of the game and watching my fellow chicas loose, a bonus round was introduced. We were told to build the Tower of Babel with a limited amount of newspapers and staples. We were being judged on the stability, majesty, and height of the ‘building’. Our teams’ strategy was to begin with a firm foundation, and then work our way up. As the building process progressed, I became increasingly aware that our “building” was neither majestic nor tall enough to compete with the guys. Alas, the time was up and we were told to stop building. To my great surprise, the guys’ “building”, although majestic and much taller than ours, toppled over. It wasn’t strong enough; while ours stood standing, despite its lack of height and majesty. So, why was this the highlight of my night? For one, the women won the game (Yay!!!). But most important of all, I was reminded of the importance of having firm foundations. We all know that before a house can be built, a foundation has to be laid out. A house has no hope of standing without a firm foundation. Likewise, a Christian has no hope of standing without a firm foundation. Jesus eluded to this when He said,”…he who heard [My Words] and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell…” [Luke 6:49, NKJV, emphasis mine]. Without a life founded on a proper relationship to Christ, it is easy to for us to be overwhelmed by circumstances and the attacks of the enemy. In 1 Peter 5:8, the Apostle Peter admonishes us to “Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” [NKJV]. This scripture has never been made so evident to me as when the book, and now the movie, “Angels & Demons” by Dan Brown came out. The book and movie has been out for a while. This book/movie, although fictional in nature, attempts to present fiction as fact. It’s a book/movie that attacks the Christian faith by discrediting the validity of the scriptures, questioning the divinity of Jesus Christ, and ultimately the very existence of God. This book/movie doesn’t phase me one bit though because I know Who Jesus is to me, and who I am to Jesus. But there was a time, a few years ago, when this would have disturbed me. In fact, when its predecessor, The DaVinci Code, came out, I was quite disturbed. I realize now that my foundation in Christ was very weak at that time. I did not have as close a relationship with Jesus Christ as I do now. So, I can see how this movie might usurp the faith of some.
In these last days, I believe it’s time for us as Christians to mature in Christ. We cannot remain babes in Christ forever but we need to desire the “pure milk of the word that [we] may grow” (1 Peter 2:2, NKJV). Maturity leads to a firm foundation in Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “…Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them…is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose…[it] could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.” [Luke 6:47-48, NKJV, emphasis mine]. Studying God’s truth, His Word, and applying it daily in our lives will help us become mature in the faith because maturity stems from practice, and practice comes from continued application of the Word of God. When we become mature in the faith, we will be kept from being “tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, [and] in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting” [Ephesians 4:14, NKJV]. When we become mature in Christ, we will remain standing; we will be able to say like the Apostle Paul, “We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” [2 Corinthians 4:8-9]
Friends, firm foundations are very important, more so in the Christian faith. Without a firm foundations in The Rock, Jesus Christ, our faith will certainly be attacked and will topple. It’s very important to know why we believe the way we believe. We should “always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you…” [1 Peter 3:15]. What is the reason for your faith? Where have you placed your foundation? A firm foundation can be placed on none other than Jesus Christ! He IS the reason for the hope that is in us. Place your foundation in Jesus Christ today by spending time alone in His presence, reading and obeying His word, and by cooperating with Him as He completes the work He began in you. When you place your foundation in Him, you will be able to stand!
With that, I leave you with this song:
My Hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But only lean on Jesus’ Name
On Christ, the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand…
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