A foundation is a prepared base or support for a structure to be built on. In times past, a foundation stone was laid with great fanfare, often in a public ceremony. Many times during a ground-breaking ceremony, a local dignitary would symbolically put a shovel into the dirt and pose for a picture to commemorate the event.
The foundation is the most important part of any building. The materials and work on a slab foundation is literally “set in stone”, and has no room for errors. In this type of foundation wooden forms are built which then hold the poured concrete. A footing trench is dug around the perimeter to provide added thickness along the end of the slab. These edges are stress prone and the weakest point of the foundation. Usually sand or gravel is spread below where the concrete is poured. This technique prevents the slab from sinking under the weight of the concrete. A vapor barrier is usually installed above the sand or gravel, and wire mesh is placed in the center of the slab with rebar (steel rods) in the footing areas to add rigidity and prevent cracking.
What about your foundation? Does it show fault lines or signs of stress?
Sometimes before the concrete has thoroughly cured, cracks and other imperfections appear, They can weaken the foundation, preventing adequate under-girding of the intended structure.
It is periodically necessary to take an honest look at your spiritual foundation. As we grow and mature in Christ - we develop a greater ability to discern and evaluate exactly what we believe as it lines up with Scripture. Isaiah 28:10 says this regarding the learning process: "For precept must be upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little."
Here are (3) things you can examine regarding your spiritual foundation:
1. Our spiritual foundation needs to be built upon the Word of God.
The Apostle Paul took time in Corinth to teach on the concept of the right foundation. In I Corinthians 3:9-14 Paul explains the importance of a sure and righteous foundation: “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it.
For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now, if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become manifest; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.”
2. Our spiritual foundation needs to have Jesus Christ at its center.
JESUS is the Chief Cornerstone of our faith.
Peter quotes Isaiah in I Peter 2:6-7 stating,“Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will be no means be put to shame.” Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient,“The stone which the builders rejected has become the Chief cornerstone.”
Peter quotes Isaiah in I Peter 2:6-7 stating,“Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will be no means be put to shame.” Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient,“The stone which the builders rejected has become the Chief cornerstone.”
Jesus Himself quoted Psalm 118:22-23 and said, “Did you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?" The Lord Jesus Christ is the Cornerstone of the church. He was dismissed and ultimately rejected by the Jews. He came first to the lost sheep of Israel, only to be mocked, insulted and executed by those who heard His message.
3. Our spiritual foundation needs to be grounded in doctrinal truths
Peter preached to the Sanhedrin in boldness and truth in Acts 4:8-12 saying, "...that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone. Nor is there salvation is any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Jesus told the parable of the two builders in Matthew 7:24-27: "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: "and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. Now everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: "and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall."
Jesus told the parable of the two builders in Matthew 7:24-27: "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: "and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. Now everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: "and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall."
In closing - here are two past Blog posts I wrote that confirm the importance of "rebooting"
your mindset as a new Christian, and how to keep your "spiritual muscles" in top condition:
When we examine our own spiritual foundation,
will we find these important components?
~ Discipleship opportunities and Bible Study
~ Decision making, obedience and submission to God’s leading
~ Discernment, wisdom and stewardship
~ Fellowship, outreach and ministry
~ Charity, hospitality and good works
Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion. It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together.
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