by David Brenneman
The foundations of the Christian life are entirely within the intimate relationship with Jesus Christ through the work of the Spirit of God. It was an interesting play on words that brought about that title today.
Our lives will only, truly, be defined in the end by how we spent the time with Jesus in obedience to God's Word.
Success in business will not matter.
Success in sports will not matter.
Success in anything that matters to the world will not matter.
Success is defined by God as our obedience to whatever we are called to do and have done to the best of our ability.
The foundation is the absolute beginning of any great structure that's worth the time, energy and effort of individuals. There seems to be no end of videos to find on home or commercial building construction that depicts faulty foundations. The new reason for hard hats isn't just to protect the head from falling objects, but to keep the wearer from scratching their head so much that they lose their hair or wear out the skin.
Nobody reading this just jumps out of bed and goes to work outside the home unprepared without dealing with the consequences of doing so.
Why would you do so Spiritually?
Why would you run into battle without your armor on?
Why would you ignore the dangers that the Bible says that awaits you?
Why would you?
Our Father God's foundation for the Church are the Apostles and prophets. Those men inspired by God to write the Bible and the Spirit who is charged with overseeing the protection of the Bible's integrity.
Oh we can run roughshod into the world...but there's always a price to be paid for it.
We can listen to the so-called knowledge of others but if that knowledge is of the world it really is a foundation of sand.
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.” Matthew 7:24-27 NASB1995
Jesus taught on this and the people were amazed at His teaching...that's the very next verse, 28.
People are constantly looking for that next big thing to amaze them and make their lives easier. Only to be met with profound disappointment due to shoddy workmanship and extremely poor quality.
In a relationship with Jesus that begins with our coming to Christ for salvation...the foundation is established.
Life begins to build on it for the kingdom of God, not the kingdom of mankind.
We're always going to be tempted to do things our way and in our own strength and time. Our culture worldwide is to do it yourself or get your government to do it for you.
"The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread? When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh, My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell. Though a host encamp against me, My heart will not fear; Though war arise against me, In spite of this I shall be confident. One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek, That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord And to meditate in His temple. For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock. And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me, And I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord. Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice, And be gracious to me and answer me. When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You, “Your face, O Lord, I shall seek.” Do not hide Your face from me, Do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; l Do not abandon me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation! For my father and my mother have forsaken me, But the Lord will take me up. Teach me Your way, O Lord, And lead me in a level path Because of my foes. Do not deliver me over to the desire of my adversaries, For false witnesses have risen against me, And such as breathe out violence. I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living.Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord." Psalm 27.
Have you thought differently now about beginning your day? About what really matters as to the importance of what happens in it? Do you not see that worldly pursuits gain us nothing? If what we're doing is wrapped around self then we're on the wrong track.
Take the time to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen. Take the time to read your Bible. Take the time to be with your Savior and to get your armor on before you head out into the world. The world is a mean and nasty place that will indeed beat you down if you let it. But in Christ, according to my Bible, we overwhelmingly conquer because of Jesus Christ. You cannot claim this if you're not walking in His truth.
So what will your day look like now?
Do you also realize that your disobedience to God's plan and purpose for you hinders His return to take home His Church?
Nothing of profound significance needs to happen before Jesus returns.
What IS significant is the Great Commission...because what's left is finding that last person who will be saved before the Rapture can happen.
We who are in Christ must live that life of obedience, to be that light in the darkness of this world to point people to Jesus.
All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.
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