The desire of a true follower of Christ is to know Him more, to go deeper into the relationship that He has called us to. As we go deeper into that relationship we see how the Holy Spirit uses us more and more for His glory. But often and quite typically, people get so focused on the next thing that they forget about the foundation. It’s so easy to want the power of the Holy Spirit, like Simon the sorcerer in Acts 8:18-19; the fact is that the power of the Holy Spirit isn’t the goal but a result of our relationship and obedience. Without a firm foundation, it can be abused.
So what is the foundation? 1 Corinthians 3:11 reveals that the foundation of our faith is Jesus Christ. That’s where we should all start and finish, with Jesus. John 14:6 shows us that no one can get to the Father except through Him because Jesus is the way. The Holy Spirit has come to bear witness about Jesus (John 15:26).
What does that mean for us? Short answer: a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, our Lord. The relationship doesn’t work through a spouse, parent, friend, pastor, or anyone else. Jesus calls each and every one of us to follow Him personally. He has already called us and made it possible for us to follow. All we have to do is make the decision to go. His followers will take up their cross, not once but daily (Luke 9:23). This means to make a daily decision to follow Jesus no matter the sacrifices that will have to be made. Denying ourselves and taking up our cross daily.
Jesus also tells us that a part of loving Him is keeping His word (John 14:23). We’re supposed to be dwelling on His word/law day and night (Joshua 1:8). Our time in the Word of God, the Holy Bible, is essential to our relationship with Jesus. Jesus doesn’t say to just read the Bible but that we are to keep His word, keep His commandments. We live by the Word of God, and as the Lord says to Joshua, we should be dwelling on it day and night. The Lord wants to write His laws on our hearts. We need the Word of God as a foundation for our lives, for our relationship. It’s very easy to live by and build beliefs on experiences instead of Word. It’s very easy to build our theology on what others say but this is very dangerous. There are a lot of good teachers out there with a great foundation, but there are also false teachers and false prophets who are leading astray; either by their words or their actions. With a foundation in the Word of God, we can rightly judge, with the Holy Spirit, what is from the Lord, what is from man, and what is from the devil. Jesus’ followers will know His voice (John 10:27). We are enabled to discern God’s voice when we know Him and what He has already spoken. This is the attribute of every true follower.
As we see in Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 7:24-27, a wise builder will build on the Rock, which is Jesus. Not on the sand that will gives way. This isn’t a story of a difference between believers and nonbelievers, but rather an illustration about what kind of believers we are. Do I build my thoughts, faith, theology on what others tell me, or do I build my life on the Word of God and a personal relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? There will be those who will not enter the kingdom. They will present to Jesus what they did in His name, maybe even miracles. But Jesus will tell them that He never knew them. Our foundation is Jesus Christ. He is looking for a personal relationship. Those who love Him will do what He says, will keep His word, His commandments. Where is your foundation? Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus? Are you spending time in His word regularly, dwelling on it day and night?
Josh Gilliland
Sr Pastor, IJG Langen