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The Gospel of Grace

Seeking the Sacred

Books by Chad:

1 Corinthians

2 Corinthians

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Chad’s Notes

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Two Foundations

Building one’s house upon a poor foundation will lead to inevitable disaster. As it is with physical structures, so it is with spiritual lives. Some people are blinded with self-delusion, thinking their own volition serves as a “solid foundation,” but the coming storms of life—including death and judgment itself—will reveal the error of such calculation. Jesus is clear on the matter: there are only two foundations, and we are wise to build upon the “rock” and foolish to build upon anything else (Mt 7:24-27).

“Why don’t people listen to what I tell them?!” We get exasperated when people refuse our good advice, even when it is based upon education and experience. We must be careful, however, not to use this same faulty “measure” (Mt 7:1-2) by resisting Jesus’ own words. If we refuse the wisdom and experience of the Master concerning spiritual life, we are no different than those who ignore our own sound advice on much lesser subjects. Jesus is not asking us to merely listen to Him, but to act according to what He prescribes. A “wise man” listens and builds on the “rock”; a foolish man may listen, but builds elsewhere.

In the parable, both men are seeking a place to build a “house.” Before the storm comes, both “houses” appear to be equally successful and secure. Yet the same storm which rages against them both reveals the fundamental difference: one is built upon a solid, stable foundation while the other has no foundation at all. The “wise man” has made sacrifices and careful planning, and has dug down deep to the rock so that his structure is “well built” (Lk 6:46-49). The “foolish man” has made no planning, exercises no learned foresight, and acts out of sheer convenience. Children of the kingdom take time and make effort to build upon an eternal foundation. They are not saved because only because they build (for all people build something), but because of what they build upon. Jesus is the foundation for His entire church (Eph 2:19-22); He is thus able to provide a foundation for the individual soul. Foolish people are oblivious to the coming storms, do not care about them, or are too busy with worldly pursuits to pay attention to sound teaching. They have deluded themselves into believing that their foundation is equally secure to that which God provides, or that a firm foundation is not at all important. These will not listen to Jesus’ instructions, preferring instead their own advice; they are hearers at best, but not doers (Jas 1:22).

Jesus’ foundation will never shift or fail; all other foundations will. Since God is the only One who can prepare us for immortality (2 Cor 5:5), we must put our full confidence in what He requires us to do. There is no difference between an unprepared believer and an unbeliever: neither will be able to withstand the “storm”—i.e., heartache, serious illness, personal failure, loss, persecution, and ultimately death itself. Our spiritual lives must be founded upon the words of “spirit and life” (John 6:63-64); otherwise, we imply that we do not believe Christ’s words. Our marriages must be built on a mutual love and respect for Christ and His teaching; anything less will end in disaster, since one or both spouses will lose their souls in the eternity to come. Our families must be founded upon a solid foundation—not upon a congregation or one’s own personal convictions, but upon the authority of Jesus Christ. We must do this while the “weather” is still favorable and while there is still opportunity. Noah built his ark during many warm and sunny days, but in doing so he prepared for the storm which God promised would come (Heb 11:7). When the storms of life are raging against us is no time to start making preparations—by then it may be too late altogether.

Adversity is not partial; it does not care that you are a Christian. Thus, it will affect us all at some time or another. Not only this, but “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ” (2 Cor 5:10). With this in mind, we would do well to build upon the solid rock of Christ and His gospel with all earnestness and urgency. If we have built upon any other foundation, we must abandon that structure and begin building upon the right foundation. We learn about this firm foundation through prayer, study, and fellowship. “Who among you is wise and understanding?” (Jas 3:13)—it is the one who seeks wisdom from above, and who does exactly what Jesus counsels him to do.

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