Revelations 21:19-20 (KJB), “ And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.”
In the natural, nothing can be properly built without a solid foundation. The very first house we purchased had horrible one. We had to jack up the house and completely rebuild it. We hired someone who knew what he was doing and the house rested on that strong support. Spiritually speaking, our lives must also have a firm foundation. Not sure how to build one? No problem, God took care of that for us. He placed a cornerstone, the very first stone in the foundation that all the other stones are leveled against. This cornerstone has to be perfect, and perfectly square, or all of the other blocks will be unlevel and off kilter. This cornerstone, Jesus, is “safe to build on.”
Isaiah 28:16 (NLT), “Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: “Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken.”
I Corinthians 3:11 (NIV), “ For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
Trying to build our lives on anything else is like the man who built his house in the sand. When the storms of life came, his whole world shifted and slid into the ocean. However the man who built his house on the Rock, nothing moved him. Sure the storms still came, but his foundation was sure, and “whoever believes need never be shaken.”
II Timothy 2:15-16a, 18-19 (HCSB), “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth. But avoid irreverent, empty speech, for this will produce an even greater measure of godlessness. And their word will spread like gangrene… Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, having this inscription: The Lord knows those who are His, and everyone who names the name of the Lord must turn away from unrighteousness.”
It takes some effort to keep a foundation strong. The cornerstone never changes, but the other blocks, or stones need some care. When we are diligent to keep our relationship with the Father close, when we pray often, read our word, hear sound teaching, and press in to fully understand who we are in Christ, our foundation stays healthy. Those storms won’t knock us down. We will be able to withstand them in the strength of the Lord.
If we start depending on ourselves, back away from God, or look to anyone or anything else to “take care of us” our foundation will crumble. Then, even the smallest rain will corrode, and the slightest change in weather will corrupt. Once things start falling apart, it all happens so fast, before you know it, your entire house is gone. A faulty foundation leads to cracks in your walls, rolling and uneven floors, and eventually if not repaired or rebuilt, your doors won’t open or close and your windows will shatter.
Do you feel like I just described your life? Then, check your foundation! Ask the Holy Spirit to help you do a “home inspection”. He is faithful, honest, and very encouraging with this process. Any week area you find will have to be shored up, or rebuilt. If Jesus isn’t your cornerstone, you will have to start over. But don’t despair; it isn’t as hard as you think. It only takes one step back to Jesus. Repentance just means turning away from the direction you have been going and turning back to Him.
Building only on this foundation, and no other, will help you to live your life in such a way that others will notice. They’ll want what you have. No one wants the house on the block that looks like a wreck, the one that has the leaky roof and the front porch that tilts. They will come to you because your “house” will be the best one on the block. It will be the one still standing after the hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes move through. You may have an occasional “shaky” experience, but you will not live a life full of confusion and fear. Others notice that kind of thing. In these times the world needs some strong, courageous people to lead them, a safe house that they can run to when things get rocky. That’s what the Body of Christ is supposed to be. That’s what it means to be “the light of the world,” and “the salt of the earth.”
I Corinthians 3:10-17 (NIV), “By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames. Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.”