An interesting response to my last post entitled "A Strong Foundation?" came from a blogger in the Chicago area. The question he asked was, "How do you know if a Christian has a good foundation?" This is an important question. I think we would all agree that a good foundation is absolutely essential in order for us to succeed in our Christian lives. If a poor or improper foundation is laid, then this can affect a person's life for many years to come.Back in the mid-1980s I worked for a construction company that took on the challenging task of building a series of apartment buildings in the winter. One of the important tasks of building in the winter is making sure all the "frost" is removed from the ground before pouring the concrete for the foundation. If the frost isn't removed, then come springtime, the whole building can be affected by cracks and shifting soil. I saw this firsthand when one of the buildings we had been working on developed a crack in the main wall that ran all the way from the foundation right up to the roof!
So, how do we know if a good foundation has been laid in the life of the Christian? Well, I would suggest the following points:
1. A good foundation produces the right conditions for a person to become spiritually mature. This is highlighted by the fact that the mature are people who are consistent in all things pertaining to their life, faith and character.
2. A good foundation is revealed by how well we handle the hardships and difficulties of life. Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble" (Jn. 16:33, NIV). So the issue is not whether we will have trouble, but rather, it is how we handle that trouble that matters.
3. A good foundation enables us to focus our attention on helping others, rather than constantly being concerned about ourselves. Hudson Taylor spoke about this as he laboured for the Lord in China: "My experience was that the less I spent on myself and the more I gave to others, the fuller of happiness and blessing did my soul become."
4. Lastly, a good foundation keeps me from being "tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching" (Eph. 4:14, NIV). Foundational doctrine as found in Hebrews 6 paves the way for confidence, strength of conviction and the ability to handle a continued unfolding of God's truth as revealed in His Word.
If you have anything to add, please feel free to contribute a comment. A good dialogue on this matter of foundations is something that could benefit many.
1 comment:
That's a very important question, Bill. And some excellent answers too.
In your analogy of building in winter, it wasn't until the circumstances of the surrounding changed that you were able to determine that the building had a bad foundation. So when the frost melted, the wall cracked. I believe it's the same with our spiritual foundations. When circumstances around us stay the same, it's almost impossible to tell, but as soon as they change, you find the answer. In the parable of the wise and the foolish man, the houses didn't fall down until the water rose and the storm came. Until then the houses both looked great. So once your foundation is ready to be tested, the situation will change and you will find out where the weak points are. Thankfully though, God is a master underpinner of foundations, so if you do find there's a weak spot in the foundation, he's sure to help you fix it. No insurance claim needed!
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