Is Your Foundation Solid? Part 2

Yesterday we heard from an experienced contractor on what is necessary for a solid foundation. Today we’re going to look at what our Master Builder says we need for a solid spiritual foundation: 

What does is Virgin Ground spiritually? 

What wide and deep footings does God have for our soul, and what reinforces them?

What anchors our spiritual foundation to the rest of our “house”?

And what clean ingredients need to go into this foundation?

Virgin Ground—Solid and Immovable

Virgin ground is not brought in from somewhere else; it’s been there from the beginning. That describes God. The first two commandments out of the box are: we are to have no other gods before Him or worship any other (Ex. 20:3-6; Deut. 5:7-10). God knows anyone or anything other than Him will let us down. If we try to build our life on a person, a career, a substance or anything else, our “house” will fall.

“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*).

Footings—Wide, Deep, and Reinforced

We need a foundation substantial enough to support the weight of our “house” so we don’t sink under pressure. And it needs to be reinforced with steel to withstand whatever comes. Who can do this better than the One who built the Universe? (Job 38:4-6)

What reinforces our foundation? I believe it’s a word we hesitate to speak these days—obedience. It’s not enough to just say we believe in God and that our lives are built on Him; we have to actually do what He says. That gives strength to our faith and testimony.

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are 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).

Anchored

What connects our “house” to the foundation? Jesus Christ. The Son of God is our connection to the Father; His sacrifice opened the way for us to come into His presence without fear.  

"'See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic’” (Isa. 28:16). “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure” (Heb. 6:19). “He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge” (Isa. 33:6).

Clean Ingredients

Purity—another word we’re scared to use—is important for building the kind of victorious life God has for us. When we let un-repented sin remain in our lives, it weakens our foundation—like air pockets cause concrete to crumble. Quality construction doesn’t come cheap. Saying no to sin our culture approves of is a cost most people don’t want to pay. I guess it depends on whether you want your house to stand or not.

It’s worth the price. Just be sure you’re ready to finish what you start. “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish’” (Luke 14:28-30).

Many have built flashy spiritual mansions that crumbled and fell for lack of a proper foundation. I don’t want to make that mistake and I hope you don’t either. Ask the Lord if yours is built according to spec. He’ll tell you what to do to get started, or repair what you’ve already begun.

“Each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 3:11).

*bold wording on scriptures is added by author for emphasis

#solidfoundation #builtontherock#buildforeternity #surefoundation #onlyfoundationJesusChrist