Friday, September 25, 2015

A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR LIFE


                I recently watched a video of a talk by Pastor Tim Keller. He began his talk with the premise that everyone must have a working theory to answer the big questions of life. Everyone needs a foundation upon which to build their life. Without some kind of philosophical or spiritual foundation, life becomes aimless and purposeless. Without a solid foundation, the challenges of life lead to discouragement, hopelessness and despair.
                As followers of Jesus Christ, we have a solid foundation upon which to build. Paul made this clear in Ephesians 2:19-22. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
                Before a builder can build a superstructure, he must assure that the foundation is sound. Recent earthquakes, in several parts of the world, revealed that, although buildings looked substantial from the outside, their foundation was flawed. When the earthquake hit, the building crumbled. In life, the integrity of our personal foundation is tested by the challenges and stresses of real life. Our personal superstructure my look good from the outside, but can it withstand the earthquakes that will inevitably come?
                Many people build their lives on faulty foundations. Some choose to build on the assumption that human beings are basically good, and given the right environment will act appropriately. This foundation is severely threatened by the current events of our day. Some choose to build on the foundation of power and prosperity. But this foundation can easily crumble as well, as political, economic and social tidal waves sweep over our world. Any foundation that leaves God out of the equation is like making concrete without the proper amount of aggregate. It will crumble.
                Paul reminds us that our foundation is solidly based on the apostles and prophets, with Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone. Jesus is the ultimate reference point. The Old Testament pointed toward his coming. The New Testament reveals his life, teachings, and impact on our world. The Old and New are held together by Jesus. The foundation of our faith is not static, but dynamic: a living relationship with the Living Lord Jesus.
                Our foundation is so secure, that Jesus confidently asserted that it will withstand the greatest tests of life. "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete." Luke 6:46-49
                Each of us has the responsibility to build our lives upon this foundation. We will not always get it right. Some of our superstructure will be shaky. Hopefully, much of it will be sound. But we can build with confidence, because we know that our foundation is secure.  By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. 1 Corinthians 3:10-15
                There is one important point that we need to consider here. As we build, we are not building on our own. The chief architect of our lives is God himself. He has the ultimate blueprints for the building being constructed. And we are building in cooperation with others. We are being joined together with other believers to build a fitting temple for the very Spirit of God to dwell. This means that our personal plans and designs need to align with the chief architect’s plan.
                We live in a world, filled with many kinds of storms, that daily beat against the foundation of our life and faith. In the midst of these storms, we need to hold onto the solid rock of our faith.

 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58

   


1 comment: