Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Laying the Foundation


“Because of God's special favor to me,
I have laid the foundation like an expert builder.
Now others are building on it.
But whoever is building on this foundation
must be very careful.
For no one can lay any other foundation
than the one we already have—
Jesus Christ.”
1 Corinthians 3:10-11

My nephew Levi built the beautiful house in the photo above. Though he will tell you he is no expert, he showed great wisdom by hiring those who are experts to do those tasks that he wasn’t qualified to do, like pouring the footers for the foundation.

The foundation is the most important part of a house. Hebrews 3:6 says that we are God’s house and 1 Corinthians 3 explains that Jesus Christ is the foundation. Nothing else and no one else can be that foundation. And, like my nephew’s house, everything that is built on the foundation depends on the solidity and quality of the foundation.

Our relationship with God also needs a solid foundation, and that foundation must be Jesus Christ. Our faith in Him as our Savior is the only basis for a relationship with God. Trusting what Jesus did on the cross as the only acceptable payment for our sinfulness lays the firm foundation we need to build a relationship with God.

Without Jesus, the foundation, there is no relationship—no matter how many good deeds or works we may do. After all, as Ephesians 2:8-10 reminds us, salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, but is the result of faith in Jesus as our Savior.

Like the concrete Levi had poured to establish the groundwork of his house, our faith in Jesus firmly cements our relationship with God. Thank You, God, for making it simple for us to lay the foundation of our faith.

Blessings!
Pam

©2014 Pamela D. Williams