The need for a firm foundation in any endeavor is unquestioned. Our homes, our office buildings and even our street and highways are formed upon a solid base or foundation. We recognize that a successful future requires a good educational foundation for a career or trade.
It is also true that stability from a firm foundation is required for our spiritual lives. In Colossians 3:5-7, the apostle Paul speaks of the necessity of that foundation.
“For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ. Therefore,as you have received Jesus Christ the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.”
(Colossians 3:5-7, NASB, underlining added)
Long before Paul, we find wise Solomon extolling the foundation of God. He writes, “When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more, But the righteous has an everlasting foundation” (Proverbs 10:25). Later Paul would speak of the “firm foundation” (2 Timothy 2:19) sealed by God’s promise of faithful redemption and our task of fleeing iniquity. Our children know well the story of the Wise and Foolish Men of Matthew 7:24-29. Wisdom demands that we build securely on an unchanging, stable foundation.
True stability cannot be found in modern philosophies. Paul condemned them to the Colossian Christians (Colossians 2:3-4, 8). The new best seller will soon find itself on the clearance table when a new, more modern philosophy rises to replace it.
True stability cannot be found in the depths of the sciences which are ever changing. For all of its accomplishments, science is not stable in the least but always subject to re-thinking and adjustment.
True stability cannot be found in fleeting human relationships. As many as 40% of marriages end in divorce. Others who do not marry buy live together come and go with no record of their instability. Apart from faith and trust in Jesus Christ, there is no absolutely, always certain security in human relationships. The certainty of death guarantees unstable times in human relationships.
The only absolute stability in life comes from a knowledge of and a commitment to God’s word. The Colossians, through their faithfulness, had come to a “true knowledge” God’s message (Colossians 2:2). Paul sought to insure their faithfulness and continued stability by warning them of new philosophies.
Let me offer some help in building your spiritual foundation.
- Immerse yourself in a study of God’s word. There is simply no other discipline that will profit you as much.
- Surround yourself with sound Christian literature. Many have given all of their lives to a study of God’s word and now are giving that knowledge to you through solid studies. Read everything you can get your hands on.
- Make your Christian brothers and sisters your best friends. Christian fellowship is part of that foundation that will serve you endlessly. Such fellowship includes, but is not limited to, worshiping with your brethren. Can you really expect to build relationships with people you see only occasionally?
- Make changes in your life. Cracks in a foundation indicate weakness and foreshadow future problems. Seal the cracks in your life.
Jesus Christ is the foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11). We build upon Him. Will you stand with him?
What are your thoughts?
