by David Brenneman
"According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are." 1 Corinthians 3:10-17.
"My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
but wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand:
all other ground is sinking sand;
all other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness veils his lovely face,
I rest on his unchanging grace;
in every high and stormy gale,
my anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand:
all other ground is sinking sand;
all other ground is sinking sand.
His oath, his covenant, his blood,
support me in the whelming flood;
when all around my soul gives way,
he then is all my hope and stay.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand:
all other ground is sinking sand;
all other ground is sinking sand.
When he shall come with trumpet sound,
O may I then in him be found:
dressed in his righteousness alone,
faultless to stand before the throne.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand:
all other ground is sinking sand;
all other ground is sinking sand."
1834 Edward Mote "Solid Rock"
In this particular last two months we've seen quite a bit in our household.
In reading the beginning passage that hymn came to mind that I grew up hearing in church.
By way of content I am reminded as well of the words of Jesus when He taught the people and us the value of building upon the rock vs building on the sand.
My Dear Reader in everything that's been a part of my life...the hands of my Savior and Lord Jesus are visible. The post that we had recently on the difference between those who are saved and are truly alive vs those who aren't...this is an evidence of being alive in Christ.
Steven Curtis Chapman's song "The Fingerprints of God" was about his daughter but oh how it's about every single person who has ever lived. From conception to the grave and everything in between. Jesus has been there has never missed a heartbeat.
Think about that...when life is rough. Think about that when life isn't so kind. In the lives of every single Believer His promise of never leaving us or forsaking us has been true. For those who haven't yet come to Christ for salvation...He's there...waiting just for you.
Jesus said that He isn't willing that any should perish but that all would come to Christ for salvation. He doesn't want anyone to be eternally separated from Him. The Biblical truth is...that decision isn't His. It's a decision for everyone to make.
For those who are saved...we do indeed have a higher calling in life and it's not tied to worldly successes or desires. Just as a Diplomat for a country has special and special responsibilities when in other countries so it is for all who are in Christ.
For all who are in Christ will give an account of their lives before Jesus...just how well we did in striving to live the Godly way in Christ as the Spirit directed us.
When you consider this day that you've been given...and trust me...it's purely a gift...how well will you do in it apart from Jesus Christ walking with you?
Not very well. We cannot see the true dangers of this world apart from the teachings of God. We cannot know how to really pray without beginning that right relationship with Jesus. If all you do in your mind and heart is think of Jesus as "the man upstairs" and nothing else...you are in trouble. Demons have a deeper understanding and appreciation for the true nature and power of God than you do.
If you're not at all in a relationship with Jesus...you're both in trouble and missing out. You cannot see because your eyes cannot view the spiritual realm without the Spirit of God in you that only comes from receiving the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ alone.
On Christ the solid rock...the recent devastation in the Carolinas has been both frightening and awesome. To both see what truly building on the rock vs building on soft ground can do is a very modern version of what Jesus said.
Coming to Christ for salvation isn't what the world says that it is. The world doesn't want to lose anyone to Jesus. Worldly religions are crafted to keep people from the truth of God in Christ. To waste their time, energy and effort on something until they die.
Consider this...Satan doesn't care if you die...he only cares when you come to Christ and live for Jesus. Then and really only then does he have a problem with you. But as the Scriptures say...our God is greater. That same power that raised Jesus from the dead is in each who have come to Christ for salvation. Without that foundation there is nothing else.
Jesus said that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life...no one comes to the Father but through Him. For over 2,000 years He's proven this to be true. All who have died without Jesus are in Hell. All who have died with Jesus are with Him in Heaven.
Please be sure of the foundation on which you stand. Be sure it is only by the blood of Jesus Christ that you are living a life that points people to Jesus. That's why Believers are still here. To point people to Jesus to show them that He loves them too.
"But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Romans 10:8-13.
Jesus is that solid rock that we've been longing to hold onto while the storms of life rage around us.
Jesus is the only way to Heaven.
Jesus said we will give an account of our lives before Him.
Jesus said there will be many who will claim to have done many things in His Name that He will say to depart from Him for He never knew them. If you can't point to a time when Jesus became the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life...you are one of these people that He speaks about.
If indeed you have come to Christ for salvation and He is the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life...live it! The Spirit taught that we should live life in such a way that people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven.
Only on Christ the Solid Rock.
All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.
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