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Learning to Live by Faith

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The last few months have been an emotionally bumpy ride for me. On my recently updated rollercoaster of life (now fifty percent faster with higher hills and loop-ier loops!), I found myself in several situations that have made me confront my understanding of living by faith. I thought I knew what it was, but like many concepts in life, you really don’t understand something until you’ve experienced it. Well, my experience is that I still have a lot to learn about living by faith. You see, our lives do not always match our beliefs. Let me explain: We may witness God’s amazing power and love and say that we believe in Him, but what do our actions say? When the world is falling down all around us, do we really trust Him? We may talk about having faith, but do we live by faith? Does it really matter? We believe, isn’t that enough? We’ve heard of the importance of faith. Yet, sometimes I think we forget how important it really is. Hebrews 11:6 reminds us: “Without faith it is impossible to please Him.” This is pretty clear. The Greek presents the idea of impossibility based on our being powerless. In other words, without faith we are powerless to please God. I am emphasizing this because we have somehow come to the conclusion that we can easily please God with our own actions. We sing God a song and since we thought it was beautiful and well done, it must have pleased God. We give God our tithes and offerings and since it was not a meager amount and we were pretty cheerful when we gave it, it must have pleased God. We talk to God and read His word when we get a chance, volunteer at the church fairly often, and fulfill many other prescribed church “duties”—basically, we are good Christians—therefore we must please God. Yet, the verse is clear, we can do all of that but if we do not have faith we are not pleasing God. An earlier passage in Hebrews takes this idea up a notch. “But my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him” (Hebrews 10:38). You see, according to the Bible, God’s people will not only believe—not only have faith—they will live by this faith (see also Habakkuk 2:4). We may be familiar with this concept, but unfortunately, we are not as familiar with how it looks in real life. Yes, faith must be active and will be revealed in what we do (James 2:17), but it is not mere actions, it is obedience. This passage showed us the alternative—not living by faith—and described it as “shrinking back.” It is talking about not starting or not continuing to do something due to fear. Thus, not doing something, or stopping something, that God asks of us because we are afraid is the opposite of living by faith. Which, again, leads to not pleasing God. What then is living by faith? This is how Paul described it in his life: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). To live by faith, Paul had to die—not a literal death, but a symbolic death—he no longer lived but Christ lived in him. Living by faith was him giving up control of his life. Jesus was making the decisions instead. In order to live by faith, he had to become completely dependent on Jesus. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:7 that “we walk by faith, not by sight.” Walking by sight means living by human wisdom—trusting in human traditions, ideas, ingenuity, resources, etc. It is being dependent on human sufficiency; trusting only what we can see. It is believing that we must succeed on our own efforts. Walking by faith means living by Christ’s wisdom—fully relying on His grace, power, counsel, and promises. It is completely dependent on Christ’s sufficiency. It is understanding that we can only succeed with His help. Walking by faith requires obedience, even when you cannot see. Of course, when you walk by faith you will want to obey, because you trust that although you cannot see, God can. So, when God says start walking, you start walking. When God says stop, you stop. When God wants you to follow where He’s leading, you don’t question His wisdom, you obey. It does not guarantee us an easy life, it only guarantees that in the end we will be where God wants us to be. Living by faith is giving up the final say in your life; it is changing your dependence from you to God. This is what it means to live by faith: hold on to Jesus and let Him do the walking. As Paul said, “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” We no longer attempt to live this life on our understanding and choices, but fully trusting in Jesus’ leading. We will become fully dependent on Jesus. We will depend on Him for correction and for direction. We will want to know and follow His will, even when we don’t understand it. I’m not suggesting this is an easy thing to do. This concept is against our nature. It may take time to fully trust God. So start with the little things; it will become easier to trust Him with the bigger things later. Then, we can learn to say, “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation” (Isaiah 12:2).

The Covenant: What God Requires

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It wasn’t the question that was strange, it was the one who was asking (Mark 10:17). The parallel story in Matthew 19 says the man was young; Luke 19 says he was a ruler; all three of the Gospels agree he was rich—he was a rich, young ruler. But a question was eating away at this rich young man. So He ran up to Jesus and blurted out the question: “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” It may have been his youthful, business oriented boldness that caused him to ask, but he asked what everyone wanted to know. What does God require of me?

Jesus answered by listing off commandments—mainly the last 6 commandments (Mark 10:19). He didn’t start with number one, like we might think. Even if it was in His plan to get to the first four, He was interrupted before He could. The young man cut in to say, “All these I have kept since I was a boy” (Mark 10:20). The young man’s boldness is a very interesting thing. Think about it: he actually interrupted God to speak of his own perfection. There may have been a big smile on the young man’s face. So far, he was passing the test with flying colors. This may have been a regular thing in his life.

Of course, Jesus wasn’t finished. I like that Mark says that Jesus looked at the young man and loved him. “One thing you lack. Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” (Mark 10:21). Selling everything was not a general requirement for all people, it was the essence of what this young man needed. It revealed to him the real issue in his life: what really came first in his life?

The core of Jesus’ requirement to the young man is summed up in an answer to a question from the pharisees about the greatest commandment: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). Quoting from Deuteronomy 6:4, 5, Jesus summed up God’s requirements—“the one thing” the young man lacked—“the one thing” many lack: putting God first in life. How do we do this?

If we look at the first four commandments in Exodus 20—the ones Jesus skipped when talking to the young man—we will see what He was talking about. In the first part of the covenant God says, “have no other gods before Him” (Exodus 20:3). He asks us to be faithful to Him. In order to love God with all that we are we must remove anyone or anything that might take His place in our hearts. Our first priority, our only allegiance, our greatest love should be towards God. Our agreement with God says that we will not put anyone else in His place.

Next He says, “do not make any idols or worship them” (Exodus 20:4–6). God is asking us not to “make” anything, or allow anything, to take His place in our lives. Idols often steal our worship and rule our lives—whether it is money, a symbol, a celebrity, or even our favorite religious writer/ speaker. We can even get to the point where we think that we are God’s greatest example to mankind pushing the only perfect example, Jesus Christ, aside. But, putting God first means that we will not allow any created thing to replace God, or what He does, in our lives, and therefore take our worship and service from Him.

Then He says, not to take His name in vain (Exodus 20:7). It literally reads, “do not take my name upon yourselves in emptiness.” This means more than the misuse of God’s name in your speech, but more importantly, improper representation of God’s name in your life. He’s basically saying, “honor my name, represent my character well.” It is easy to build up or tear down someone’s name, or reputation. 2 Timothy 3:5 describes people “having a form of godliness but denying its power.” These are those who talk the talk but don’t walk the walk—representing God with an empty life. Loving God with all that we are means that we will live in such a way as to keep His name holy and honorable.

Finally, He says, “remember His Sabbath by keeping it holy” (Exodus 20:8–11). Part of our covenant with God includes remembering to meet with Him on His special day, the Sabbath. In fact, we would do everything to make sure we spent the whole day with Him—not just one or two hours—because He is our God and we love Him and want to spend time with Him. If we love God with all our heart, mind, and soul we would look forward to and protect our time with Him on His holy day.

Jesus was clear about what God wanted: total devotion to Him. The young man’s response to Jesus answer? “At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth” (Mark 10:22). What a tragedy! To be in the presence of Jesus and yet walk away sad. This was obviously the hardest thing the young man could have heard. What God required was impossible for him. He was asked to put the Kingdom of God before his own kingdom and he could only walk away. His desire for eternal life was not as great as for his earthly riches.

This is what the covenant requires of all of us towards God as well. God asks you and I to put aside our kingdoms and seek His. He asks that we love Him above all else. He asks that we follow Him. This is what God requires. So we have two options: uphold our end of the covenant and put God first, or walk away. But know this: Jesus says that not one who has left anything behind for His sake and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this life and in the life to come (Mark 10:29, 30). It may be the most difficult choice of your life, but don’t let another tragedy happen. Don’t walk away sad—choose Christ!

Living on Purpose

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I have learned that just because we say we are something doesn’t mean we are. Just because we might say we are Christian, doesn’t make us a Christian. I used to think the proof of my Christianity was my membership at my church. But reality sets in: Does my life support my talk? Do my actions back up what I say I believe? Could anyone else, by looking at my life, be able to know that I am a follower of Jesus? I read a quote in college on the dorm bulletin board that said, “If you were arrested for being a Christian, would they have enough evidence to convict you?” Wow.

You see, our lives will prove what we truly believe. Sure we can go through motions. We can pretend to care and pretend to believe. But God does not want a production—He’s not asking for a Christian Talent Show. He doesn’t want us to show forced compassion; He wants us to truly love! He doesn’t want us to merely say that He is great; He wants us to actually trust Him. If it is not about going through the motions, then it is about living on purpose. It’s not about what you do, but why you do it.

My favorite example of such living is found in the the lives of three Old Testament Hebrew guys: Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. (They received new names in Babylon that may sound more familiar: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.) They found themselves in a very bad situation. King Nebuchadnezzar had built a huge statue of gold and made a decree that when certain music played everyone would bow down to the image. It wasn’t long until his wise men noticed that not everyone was bowing down—three to be exact, and only three. There were consequences to disobedience: death. This was not an optional event, it was commanded. So these three stood even though they knew the consequences.

Resolve

Some may suggest that this was not smart. Why bring all this attention to themselves? They could have easily faked bowing. You know, when the music played they could bend down and tie their shoes! No one would know the difference. They weren’t really bowing but only made it look like they were. I wonder how many in the crowd that day actually did this? I wonder how many of us would have done it as well?

They were immediately brought before the king. (Daniel 3:13–15.) Basically, Nebuchadnezzar gave them another chance. He liked these guys. They had proven themselves earlier. However, this was the last chance they’d get. If they turned it down, into the furnace they’d go. His offer: Bow and everything would be fine; if they didn’t, they would hurt. Simple enough. But the young men did not even wait for the music before they replied. There was no reason to play the music, because they wouldn’t bow to anyone other than God. They weren’t afraid of the furnace either, because their God could rescue them from it (verses 16, 17). Do you believe in God like that? Of course, it’d easy to believe God could rescue you from a furnace when you’re not near a furnace. But would you still have the same faith if you could feel the heat from it? That’s not all though. I love what they say next: “But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up” (Daniel 3:18).

This is what living on purpose is all about! It was not the motion, it was the reason. Their God was so great they wouldn’t bow to anything else, even if He didn’t save them. Those are not comfortable terms. We have the tendency to base our performance on His deliverance. Yes, our God can deliver us, but what if he doesn’t?

Nebuchadnezzar was impressed with their faith and let them go, right? Not quite. In fact, it says he was infuriated. He commanded his servants to heat the furnace seven times hotter! It became so hot that the soldiers who threw them in died from the heat and didn’t even go in themselves! Nebuchadnezzar tried hard to make an example of these men and their God, but ended up giving God a greater opportunity to reveal His power and grace! Nebuchadnezzar soon noticed more than three in the furnace—there were four! Who would have gone in there with them? And the new one looked different: like the son of God. Quickly he called them out and they didn’t even smell like smoke! Isn’t God amazing? This reinforces that God does, in fact, go through the greatest trials with us and He can, and often does, bring us through unharmed!

This is living on purpose. It isn’t a half-hearted conviction. It is not being one person at church and another outside. Otherwise, when trials hit we will not stand—and we will have our trials. We face choices every day. Not all trials will be a fiery furnace, but all can have an affect on our future.

We say we believe in God, but does our life show it? Are we just trying to look like Christians, or are we truly living for Christ? We cannot be fooled into believing that an outward presentation is enough. It’s all about what is inside, and what is in our heart is revealed in times of trial. It is the true you.

That’s why God wants us to be completely for Him or completely against Him—not this in between stuff. If you say you are God’s child, then live like it! Don’t pretend to follow Christ if you don’t really want to. It’s not mindless actions that He desires. But if you want to follow Christ, then go all in! Follow Him 100%. Do not be among those who have a “form of godliness, but deny its power.” Don’t pretend to be something you are not. Live for God… on purpose!

Armor of God: The Shield of Faith

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Jesus asks a very sobering question in Luke 18:8, “…when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” Faith. It is a very complex concept. It is something Christians know they need, yet often find it difficult to lean on. It is something vital for spiritual life, yet is regularly defined in ways that greatly reduce its significance. Paul knew its importance though; it is included in the list of God’s Armor. Next on the list is the Shield of Faith (Ephesians 6:16). Since it does not strap on, it is part of the armor that could be forgotten. That’s why Paul reminds us, “In addition.” You are wearing the other pieces of armor, but don’t forget your shield.

The shield is very important. A soldier can move the shield in any direction to protect any area not already covered. This is also why we must make sure we do not pick up a counterfeit. Satan would like you to grab his Sunglasses of Blind Faith and run into battle. Follow every whim and idea blindly. With little effort, you will stumble right into one of his carefully placed snares. Man tries to offer something of more substance: the Button of Belief. Shaped like a shield, but not near as heavy, it is very fashionable—imagine what people will think of you when they can readily see what you believe. Of course, once you have chosen a good set of beliefs, you should stick with those beliefs—beliefs aren’t supposed to change. If they did change, how could we ever establish exclusive clubs among those having similar buttons? Be aware, though, since not much is required of belief, it won’t provide any protection.

Paul tells us that faith must be our shield. Only faith can protect us from, as Paul says, the flaming arrows (fiery darts) of Satan. However, there is a greater importance in having faith than just defending darts. In Hebrews 11:6, Paul says that without faith it is impossible to please God. Impossible. We simply cannot please God without faith. We may try to please Him with worship, tithe, attendance, even witnessing, but without faith it can’t be done. Notice though, the text does not say “without great faith it is impossible,” it just says without faith.

You see, there are different sizes of shields—because there are different sizes of soldiers. A soldier is only given a shield he/she can handle, but every soldier is given a shield. In the same way, each soldier in God’s Army is given faith. How much? Romans 12:3 says that God gives us each a measure. This is a vague term, isn’t it? How much is a measure? Just enough. That’s how much faith God gives: just enough. Always the right amount for victory.

We aren’t all given the same amount of faith, but we are all given enough faith. You may start out with a smaller amount than your fellow soldier sitting beside you at church, but that doesn’t make you less of a Christian. It’s not about the size of your faith, but the size of your God. Jesus said that if we had faith the size of a mustard seed we could move mountains (Matthew 17:20). Nothing is impossible, even with the tiniest amount of faith. Faith compared with a mustard seed isn’t simply small, though, but also like a seed it will grow (see Matthew 13:31, 32). It may begin as the smallest seed, but turns out to be the largest plant in the garden. Likewise, as we cultivate our faith it will grow. One way our faith is cultivated is through reading God’s word (Romans 10:17).

Then, it has to be used. As Paul said in Ephesians 6:16, the shield has to be taken. A shield cannot protect unless we pick it up and use it. James 2:17 says that “faith without works is dead.” It doesn’t matter if we think we have little faith, big faith, weak faith, or strong faith, we have to use the faith we are given or it will do us no good. If we have faith that Jesus will forgive our sins, then we will confess our sins. If we have faith that He is coming again, then we will live like He is coming.

This is the exciting part: as we use the faith God has given us it will grow, larger and larger, protecting more and more. Until we graduate into heavy infantry: Jesus said, “Anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father” (John 14:12). We will not only be able to do things He did, but greater things. Our faith in Christ can grow so large that the impossible will become reality. No wonder the Bible says we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength!

Limitations are only set when we don’t use our faith. It says in Matthew 13:58, that Jesus couldn’t do mighty things for the people of Nazareth because of their lack of faith. How many times have we missed out on Jesus’ mighty works because we were afraid to use our faith? We don’t fail because we don’t have faith, but because we won’t use it.

There’s only one cause for for unused faith: taking our eyes off Jesus (consider Peter walking on the water). No longer focusing on Him results in no longer trusting in Him, depending on Him, or surrendering to Him. If we want to stand firm in our faith, we must keep our eyes on Jesus. Paul says it best, “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith … Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted” (Hebrews 12:2, 3). This is the solution to any faith issue: fix your eyes on Jesus!

Do you find it difficult to act in faith? Fix your eyes on Jesus.
Do you want to increase your faith? Fix your eyes on Jesus.

Whether you have little faith or great faith, fix your eyes on Jesus! Great and mighty things will happen with your eyes fixed on Jesus—He makes our faith complete. The battle will rage on, the winds will blow, the waves will crash around you, and the darts will continue to attack. When they do, keep your eyes on Jesus and you will have victory!

New Covenant, Part 2: What Has NOT Changed

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Jesus made it very clear that there was a new covenant in His blood. It was also very clear, in Jeremiah 31:31–33, that God would make a new covenant with His people. So there is no question that, in Christ, we are now under a new covenant. In that promise of a new covenant, however, we saw that both the old and the new covenant had the same relationship-based language (what the covenant was about): God would be our God, and we would be His people. Since that is the same, I wondered what else might be the same, and what has changed?

It is easy to assume that since the covenant is new, then everything is different. However, since we have already learned that the language is still the same, we must also be open to the likelihood that there are other aspects of the old covenant that have not changed. Indeed, in my study on the covenants, I have found that not everything has changed.

For instance, in the very beginning—the first mention of the covenant made with Abraham—God established that one of Abraham’s (and his descendants’) requirements for the covenant was circumcision. Many today believe that this requirement is no longer relevant. Yet, notice what Colossians 2:11 says: “In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, but the circumcision of Christ.”

This says that there still is a requirement of circumcision—just not the kind we assume. Paul describes this “new” idea of circumcision more clearly in Romans 2:28, 29—“For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the spirit, not by the letter” (emphasis mine). He is describing an inward circumcision of the heart. And, believe it or not, this is what God truly desired in the old covenant. Consider these passages:

  • “Circumcise therefore, the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn” (Deuteronomy 10:16).
  • “And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live” (Deuteronomy 30:6).
  • “Circumcise yourselves to the Lord; remove the foreskin of your hearts…” (Jeremiah 4:4).
  • “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will punish all those who are circumcised merely in the flesh… all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in heart.” (Jeremiah 9:25, 26).

God still desires that we are circumcised in the heart—removing the selfishness and pride in our lives—which means not being stubborn towards Him, but loving Him with all our heart and soul.

Of course, I found that in most discussions of the new covenant, one thing is consistently brought up as being done away with: the Ten Commandments. Typically, the argument is made that the law was nailed to the cross and we are no longer under the law, but under grace.

First, it is true that the Ten Commandments were part of the old covenant (Exodus 34:27–29 says they are “words of the covenant.” See also Deuteronomy 4:13). However, in the promise of a new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31–33) we find the first chink in the armor of that argument: it does not mention that the new covenant will do away with the law, replacing it with grace, but instead, God says, “I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts” (emphasis mine). According to this, the new covenant does not remove the law. If anything, the law will become more a part of us. Instead of being written on stones kept inside an ark that few people ever see, He desires to write it inside us. It will become something we want to do.

What about the text that says that the law was nailed to the cross? The text in question is Colossians 2:14. Interestingly, it does not say that the law was nailed to the cross, but that “the record of debt” that stood against us was nailed to the cross. The Greek word translated as “record” or “handwriting” is cheirographon, and literally means “a handwritten statement, especially a record of financial accounts.” According to the original language of the text, what was nailed to the cross was our debts, and its legal demands (death–Romans 6:23)—the things that really stand against us—not the law. Which makes sense. Christ’s sacrifice for our sins could only cancel our debt (paid for our sins) and not the law (which reveals our sins—see Romans 7:7).

But we are under grace now and not the law, right? This is based on the passage—“For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace” (Romans 6:14). However, this text does not say that the law has been done away with, it only says that we are no longer under it. Plus, we cannot ignore the next verse: “What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!” (Romans 6:15). In fact, an honest reading of Paul’s writings would reveal that, although we are no longer saved by keeping the law, the law still stands: “Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law” (Romans 3:31. See also Galatians 3:17–19). Furthermore, Paul says that those who are not under the law are being “led by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:18), which still implies obedience.

Besides, if Christ death on the cross got rid of the law, why would He say, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them” (Matthew 5:17—emphasis mine)? Or, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15)? In Jesus’ own words, He did not abolish, or remove, the Law, but fulfilled it and asks us to continue keeping it.

John teachings also contradict this idea: “And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says ‘I know him’ but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:3, 4). He also says that when we love God we will keep His commandments and “his commandments are not burdensome.“ (1 John 5:2, 3).

Finally, if the law was gone and no longer part of the new covenant, then why are the end-time people of God described as those “who keep the commandments of God” (see Revelation 12:17 and 14:12)?

No, Jesus’ sacrifice did not remove the law. His sacrifice paid the debt that the law reveals in our lives. Therefore, the new covenant has not changed the law either—it still stands. Again, it makes sense. A covenant always includes the requirements for both parties. In both the old and new covenants, God’s part is being our God; He will protect us and is saving us. Likewise, our part is still loving Him with all our heart (circumcision of the heart) and following Him (obedience). The new covenant did not change this.

Sandcastle Churches

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There’s a classic children’s song that talks about a wise man and a foolish man, both desiring to build a house (it is based off of one of Jesus’ parables—see Matthew 7:24–27). Here’s the gist of the story: The wise man chooses to build his house upon a rock (either a pretty big rock or a really small house) and the foolish man builds his house upon the sand. According to the song, and the parable, in both cases rains come down and floods come up. Because the wise man built his house on solid rocky ground, his house stays firm in spite of the stormy weather. The foolish man, however, who was enjoying a beach house, had different results—when the rains and the floods came, his house went splat.

It’s an interesting story. While some may think to use this as guidelines for when they’re searching for a house to purchase, Jesus had a different application in mind. He said that those who hear His words and do them are like the wise man—able to weather any storm Satan sends. However, those who hear Jesus’ words, but do not put them to practice are like the foolish man—they’ll fall hard when the storms blow.

Jesus emphasized this concept many times, and in many parables: listening is not enough, we must also do. We deceive ourselves if we think hearing is enough (James 1:22). Of course, His counsel makes sense. Consider how it applies in any other area of life. You will get healthier and in better shape if you not only listen to the personal trainers but do what they say. Also, it would not be enough to just listen to the instructors teaching you how to open your parachute when you jump out of a plane, you must do what they say as well, right? Because, when you are taught something valuable you are benefitted by that teaching only once you put it into practice. Likewise, you’ll find eternal life and more happiness here on earth if you will not only listen to Jesus, but actually do what He says (obey).

It seems like it should be an easy concept but it isn’t. Some have subscribed to the idea that knowledge is really the key and all we have to do is absorb it—through reading, watching, or just listening—to improve ourselves. Our culture heavily promotes this too. We have become conditioned to believe that as long as we have taken the class we are safe. Look around and it’s easy to see that that isn’t true.

Unfortunately, this mindset has also invaded the church. While Jesus may have meant His illustration for the individual, I believe churches (God’s people corporately) can suffer from it as well. A group of God’s followers also have to choose between building the foundation of their group on the Rock or on sand.

Of course, Jesus is supposed to be the foundation on which God’s people stand, both individually and corporately. He is the cornerstone upon which the church stands (Acts 4:11); He is the head of the body of His people (Colossians 1:18). As I mentioned in a previous blog, we are united, or become one, in Him. Therefore, any group that bears His name should be anchored in Him.

I am using phrases like “should be” and “supposed to be” because I have seen that churches can have very sandy foundations. Some churches have been built on division, split from another because of different ideas of theology, or worship, or leadership. Other churches are built only on a mutual agreement—they’ve found unity in a similar cause or belief. Some churches are even built on deception by a greedy false “prophet” or “messiah” seeking to steal people from God and pad their own pocket books. I’m sure there are many more “foundations” on which a church may be built, but if a church does not have following Jesus as their foundation they have built on sand—and they will fall. If you find yourself in one of these churches, be careful! You do not want to be inside a sandcastle church when the the angels of Revelation let the winds blow (Revelation 7:1).

I’m not saying that one day, all of a sudden, their church building will collapse due to high winds, but rather that they will not be able to stand the severe spiritual tests of the last days. There will be tests, difficult ones. Deceptions so strong that they could almost deceive those truly following God (Matthew 24:24). Only those who have made hearing and obeying Jesus their foundation will remain standing when all is done.

You may not have any influence on the foundation of your church, but you can choose a proper foundation for yourself. You can choose, like too many proclaimed Christians today, to sit in a church every week (or month or twice a year) and hear God’s word and be finished with your Christian “duties”. Or you can choose to act upon what you hear from God and plant yourself on solid rock. As another song says, “On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.”