Foundation

Many writers have written about the faith of the early believers in the first century, but let us look on the extraordinary subject called ‘Foundation’. Foundation means the solid base on which a building is built, usually below ground level. In simple terms, I mean how strong are we in the Lord? or how weak are we?

There are many things that we can share as brothers and sisters as we journey toward the Kingdom of God. Many beloved ones have gone astray due to some weakness in their foundation. To start with, let us turn to Matthew when he talks about two builders who had built their structures based on two different materials: “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house: yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash” (Matt 7:24-27).

Let us take a deep breath within ourselves to find out where we belong in relation to this passage. Are we wise people who build our houses on the rock, or foolish people who cheapen ourselves with the things of this world, neglecting the work of our Lord. Do we then fight among ourselves, pointing fingers at each other instead of doing what is right, in Jesus Christ where we can obtain the strong foundation because he is a rock that cannot be shaken by any gigantic wind.

Sometimes we may feel that serving God is a waste of time or is toilsome: if we do, we are deceiving ourselves. Whatever we have or whatever we do comes from Him, who has chosen us. No other gods can possibly do this.

Photo: Bro Stephen Siamabi

Brothers and sisters, how have we built ourselves and what foundation have we used? Have we built ourselves on worldly materials, ungodliness, criminality or immorality? If so, then we should know that our foundation is ready for destruction. If it is based on the rock who is Jesus Christ, then we are moving on the right track.

The prophet Isaiah has a vital issue concerning our foundation: “So this is what the sovereign Lord says ‘See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation: the one who trusts in it will never be dismayed” (Isa 28:16).

What a lovely and inspiring message from this scripture; when we put our trust in this precious cornerstone we will never be disappointed. Maybe some of our relatives have disappointed us because of our beliefs. If so, remember that our Lord Jesus Christ was also disappointed (rejected) by his own people. Let us do what Jesus did by holding on to his Father, the Living God.

Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who was the chief cornerstone. He was fully tested when he was nailed to the cross for you and for me. This shows how precious he was, since he remained obedient in all the hardships he went through and this makes him our foundation on whom we will never be disappointed. This theme is taken up by Paul: “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 to build. 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 stone, wood, hay, 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” (1 Cor 3:10-13).

These words are Paul’s through our Lord Jesus Christ. This issue is serious to each and every believer because it will be a very shameful experience seeing brothers and sisters failing to enter into God’s Kingdom.

Finally, as we help one another to the Kingdom of God we should maintain our building on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Jesus Christ 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 (Eph 2:20-22). Brethren and sisters, let us hold on to this truth that we have chosen. Let us use our free time in devoting ourselves to the word to nourish ourselves as the daily food of our soul. Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation is firm, sealed with this inscription: the Lord knows who are his, and every one who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.

Bro Stephen Siamabi (Lusaka, Zambia)