What Is Your Life Built On?
By: Kristen L. McNulty
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Today, I want to ask you: what foundation have you built your life on? You see, as human beings, we all have built our lives on a foundation- it's impossible to not have a foundation. For some, their foundations are their jobs, for others it's their philosophy of life, for others it's their religion, but the Bible is quite clear that there is only one foundation and that is Jesus Christ. In First Corinthians, chapter three, verses 10 to 15 Paul says:
10Because 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. 11For no one can lay any other foundation than the one we already have--Jesus Christ. 12Now anyone who builds on that foundation may use gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. 13But there is going to come a time of testing at the judgment day to see what kind of work each builder has done. Everyone's work will be put through the fire to see whether or not it keeps its value. 14If the work survives the fire, that builder will receive a reward. 15But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builders themselves will be saved, but like someone escaping through a wall of flames.
You see friends; no other foundation is capable of sustaining us both in this life and in eternity. Jesus is the only foundation that works. You can build your life on money or success or philosophy or even family, but the only foundation that can hold the weight of life is Jesus. There is no other substitute.
Saying that then, why is it that we so often try to substitute? I know in my own life there have been times when I've built my life on a very shaky foundation. There are even days when I stray from the solid rock foundation that I've been given and try to expand, building on quicksand.
This kind of attitude and action is wrong. Because point blank: whatever your foundation is ultimately speaks of what your priority is. And if you can honestly say that your foundation is anything other than Jesus, it's time to re-examine and ask God to rebuild.
Because when you and I stand before God, He's not going to be interested at looking at our portfolio or the snapshots from our family vacations or even taking a tour through our big house and cottage on the beach. No, God's going to look at two things: First of all, He's going to look at our foundation. If He sees the solid rock foundation that His Son paid His blood to build, then He'll take a look at what kind of stuff we build on the foundation and only eternal investments are going to pass through the refining fire. The time spent in service, the people we lead to Christ, those things will make it through the flames. Our bank accounts and degrees are going to be turned to ashes.
So today, if your foundation is anything but Christ or Christ with anything mixed in, I strongly encourage you to allow Christ to remove the sand and replace it with a rock. Because when the wind blows and the rain pours, it is the one foundation that won't wash away.
In closing, I know we're young and I know the world tells us we need a good degree and a good job and a big house to be successful, but the best fire insurance policy on this earth isn't going to save those things from burning up when we stand before God. Take your foundation and build on it things that will only come out better and purer through the flames.
Let's pray:
Heavenly Father,
Today we ask you to build a foundation in our lives with your Son. Take away the sand and the straw and build a rock solid foundation from the gift of Jesus Christ. And Lord, show us the way to build things that will last into eternity. Help each one of us to stand against the temptation to gain earthly treasures while forsaking eternal ones.
In your precious name we pray.
Amen.
This devotional was aired as a part of the Making A Difference Christian Radio Show.