The Foundation of Christ
The Foundation of Christ
We are all constructing something. Whether we realize it or not, each of us is building our life on someone or something. The question is: what foundation are we choosing?
Imagine two houses. From the outside, they might look identical – both beautiful, both seemingly sturdy. But when a storm comes, one stands firm while the other crumbles. What's the difference? The foundation.
This powerful imagery comes from a teaching in Luke 6:46-49. Here, we're presented with a crucial question: "Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and don't do the things that I say?" It's a piercing inquiry that cuts to the heart of our faith and actions. Are we merely paying lip service to our beliefs, or are we truly living them out?
The passage goes on to describe two types of people:
1. Those who come, hear, and act on the words of Jesus.
2. Those who hear but do not act.
The first group is likened to someone who digs deep and lays a foundation on rock. When floods come and rivers crash against this house, it stands firm. The second group, however, is like someone who builds directly on the ground without a foundation. When the storms hit, their house immediately collapses.
This teaching carries a profound truth: storms will come in our lives. It's not a matter of if, but when. The unshakeable reality is that we live in a broken world where challenges, hardships, and trials are inevitable. But here's the good news – while we can't control the storms, we can control how we prepare for them.
So how do we build this strong foundation? It's beautifully simple:
1. Come to Jesus
2. Hear His words
3. Act on them
It's not about a long list of dos and don'ts. It's about a relationship and a response. It's about aligning our actions with our professed beliefs.
This brings us to a critical point – love for God is not merely a feeling, but a choice. As Elizabeth Elliot wisely said, "Loving God is not a matter of feeling, but of willing, of choosing." This echoes Jesus' own words in John 14:15, "If you love me, keep my commands." Our obedience is the tangible expression of our love.
However, we must be wary of two common pitfalls:
1. Being a "Bible Study Christian" – Someone who constantly learns but never applies. We can educate ourselves beyond the point of obedience, knowing more and more but doing less and less.
2. The "Toe-Dipper" – Someone who engages with faith superficially, never fully committing. It's like getting just enough of a vaccine to recognize the disease, but not enough to be protected against it.
Both these approaches fail to build the strong foundation we need. They might look good for a while, but they won't withstand life's storms.
So how do we move forward? Here are two practical steps:
1. Honestly evaluate what or whom your life is built upon. Ask yourself: If this thing/person was taken away, would Jesus be enough? Are you building your identity on something good (like being a parent or excelling in your career) instead of on Christ?
2. Dig deep. As John Maxwell says, "The secret of your success is found in your daily routine." It's the small, consistent actions – spending time with God, reading His word, and living out His teachings – that build a strong foundation over time.
Remember, pressure reveals the strength of a foundation. When trials come (and they will), they expose what we've really been building our lives on. But here's an encouraging thought – what if we began to see these pressures not as curses, but as opportunities? Opportunities to draw closer to God, to experience His new mercies each day, and to strengthen our foundation even further.
This message isn't just for those starting out. Perhaps you've realized you've been building on the wrong foundation. The beautiful truth is that it's never too late to start rebuilding. God's grace is available, and He's calling you to come to Him, hear His word, and act upon it.
Or maybe you feel like your house has already crumbled. Take heart! Christ is inviting you to rebuild, this time on the proper foundation – Himself.
As we reflect on these truths, let's challenge ourselves:
- Are our actions aligned with our professed beliefs?
- Are we actively building our lives on Christ, or are we relying on something else?
- How can we "dig deep" in our daily routines to strengthen our spiritual foundation?
Life will bring storms, but with Christ as our foundation, we can stand firm. It's not about perfection, but direction. It's about consistently coming to Jesus, hearing His words, and putting them into practice.
So let's build wisely, knowing that the foundation we choose today will determine how we weather the storms of tomorrow. In Christ, we have a foundation that cannot be shaken – a truth that brings comfort, courage, and unshakeable hope for whatever lies ahead.
We are all constructing something. Whether we realize it or not, each of us is building our life on someone or something. The question is: what foundation are we choosing?
Imagine two houses. From the outside, they might look identical – both beautiful, both seemingly sturdy. But when a storm comes, one stands firm while the other crumbles. What's the difference? The foundation.
This powerful imagery comes from a teaching in Luke 6:46-49. Here, we're presented with a crucial question: "Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and don't do the things that I say?" It's a piercing inquiry that cuts to the heart of our faith and actions. Are we merely paying lip service to our beliefs, or are we truly living them out?
The passage goes on to describe two types of people:
1. Those who come, hear, and act on the words of Jesus.
2. Those who hear but do not act.
The first group is likened to someone who digs deep and lays a foundation on rock. When floods come and rivers crash against this house, it stands firm. The second group, however, is like someone who builds directly on the ground without a foundation. When the storms hit, their house immediately collapses.
This teaching carries a profound truth: storms will come in our lives. It's not a matter of if, but when. The unshakeable reality is that we live in a broken world where challenges, hardships, and trials are inevitable. But here's the good news – while we can't control the storms, we can control how we prepare for them.
So how do we build this strong foundation? It's beautifully simple:
1. Come to Jesus
2. Hear His words
3. Act on them
It's not about a long list of dos and don'ts. It's about a relationship and a response. It's about aligning our actions with our professed beliefs.
This brings us to a critical point – love for God is not merely a feeling, but a choice. As Elizabeth Elliot wisely said, "Loving God is not a matter of feeling, but of willing, of choosing." This echoes Jesus' own words in John 14:15, "If you love me, keep my commands." Our obedience is the tangible expression of our love.
However, we must be wary of two common pitfalls:
1. Being a "Bible Study Christian" – Someone who constantly learns but never applies. We can educate ourselves beyond the point of obedience, knowing more and more but doing less and less.
2. The "Toe-Dipper" – Someone who engages with faith superficially, never fully committing. It's like getting just enough of a vaccine to recognize the disease, but not enough to be protected against it.
Both these approaches fail to build the strong foundation we need. They might look good for a while, but they won't withstand life's storms.
So how do we move forward? Here are two practical steps:
1. Honestly evaluate what or whom your life is built upon. Ask yourself: If this thing/person was taken away, would Jesus be enough? Are you building your identity on something good (like being a parent or excelling in your career) instead of on Christ?
2. Dig deep. As John Maxwell says, "The secret of your success is found in your daily routine." It's the small, consistent actions – spending time with God, reading His word, and living out His teachings – that build a strong foundation over time.
Remember, pressure reveals the strength of a foundation. When trials come (and they will), they expose what we've really been building our lives on. But here's an encouraging thought – what if we began to see these pressures not as curses, but as opportunities? Opportunities to draw closer to God, to experience His new mercies each day, and to strengthen our foundation even further.
This message isn't just for those starting out. Perhaps you've realized you've been building on the wrong foundation. The beautiful truth is that it's never too late to start rebuilding. God's grace is available, and He's calling you to come to Him, hear His word, and act upon it.
Or maybe you feel like your house has already crumbled. Take heart! Christ is inviting you to rebuild, this time on the proper foundation – Himself.
As we reflect on these truths, let's challenge ourselves:
- Are our actions aligned with our professed beliefs?
- Are we actively building our lives on Christ, or are we relying on something else?
- How can we "dig deep" in our daily routines to strengthen our spiritual foundation?
Life will bring storms, but with Christ as our foundation, we can stand firm. It's not about perfection, but direction. It's about consistently coming to Jesus, hearing His words, and putting them into practice.
So let's build wisely, knowing that the foundation we choose today will determine how we weather the storms of tomorrow. In Christ, we have a foundation that cannot be shaken – a truth that brings comfort, courage, and unshakeable hope for whatever lies ahead.