June 16, 2019 -- I Corinthians 3:11 -- Christ the Foundation

For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

I Corinthians 3:11 English Standard Version

On what, or who, do you base your life? At the core of your all you are—heart and mind—what is it that motivates you to act? The apostle Paul notes that for Christians the foundation from which all actions spring is Jesus Christ. Why?

Jesus is the wisdom from God. (I Corinthians 2:2-5) Yesterday, while visiting in prison, I met an older woman who is also a prison pastor. She noted how many men in prison struggle with guilt over what they’ve done and how many lack a strong father-figure in their life. I responded with warmth, “Thanks be to God we can point them to the cross of Jesus where we lay our burdens down and find His freedom and at that place we are called beloved sons and daughters of God.” She shook her head and said, “No, I use my counseling skills to help them feel better about themselves.” (Let the horror that sink in for a moment.) Here is a person claiming to be a Christian, claiming to build on the foundation of Jesus Christ, who does not share the hope we have in Christ but builds using her counseling skills. All human wisdom is folly. The only wisdom we can possibly have is wisdom from God. My mind and heart screamed: “Stay home. Do not lead these men to a false comfort so that they are comfortable rushing headlong to hell!”

God made us. He made us to relate to Him. He opened the way to such a relationship through Jesus Christ. Any other foundation, any other counseling, any other philosophy may make someone feel better in the short term. After leaving that prison I was debriefing with my mentor, Rudy, who sarcastically stated—giving voice to the very think I was thinking, “Well, isn’t that nice? They’ll feel better as they go all the way to hell?!”

Going to church is uncomfortably precisely because our life’s foundation is exposed. To our shame we see the things we try to substitute in place of the worthy, glorious, strong foundation which is Jesus Christ. As the hymn writer so beautifully put it: “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand.”

Get to a bible-believing church today. Read your bible. Find the Rock. The solid foundation on Whom you can build your life, your hope and your eternal future. Put your hands over your ears when you hear useless human philosophy and idle pandering to the world’s heresies.

Blessed God, thank You for Jesus Christ, Who is Your gift of wisdom to us. Thank You, Spirit of God, that in reading the Bible we learn of Jesus and know Him alone to be the firm foundation of our life. For those of us who already believe, strengthen our faith and encourage our walk with God. For those who of us read this and do not yet know Jesus as such a solid foundation, may these words drive them to seek You, Lord Jesus. Amen.