(Luke 6:46-49)
“And why
call ye me, Lord, Lord. And do not do what I tell you? Whosever cometh to me,
and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He
is like a man which built an house, and diggeth deep, and laid the foundation
on a rock: and when the flood arose, the storm beat vehemently upon that house,
and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth,
and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the
earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell,
and the ruin of that house was great”
–Luke 6:46-49.
INTRODUCTION
Everybody has a foundation in life. Nobody springs up without a root. We came
from a place and also have a foundation. Our foundation differs from each
other. That is why we need to ask from ourselves these questions: What is foundation? What is solid Christian
foundation?
Also, if someone wants to
have a solid foundation of a building that will be able to withstand storms, he
needs to cocretise it to make it stronger. Solid Christian foundation breeds genuine
repentance. This is not ordinary
tongue foundation type or the one that portrays someone as a church goer. Genuine repentance is turning away from old
ways of life according to John 3:3; Romans 12:1. For something to be solid means something
to be without wavering that cannot be moved, that stands firm. That is,
for someone to remain in the gospel he has accepted without deviating from the
path (Daniel 3:16-18).
What type of life do
you live? Is it the one that stands or the one that wavers? Examine your life
today. Have you been circumcised spiritually?
1.
HOW DO WE IDENTIFY CHRISTIANS THAT LIVED A SOLID LIFE?
(Romans 8:35-39; I Timothy 4:12; Matthew 7:16)
1.
By their behaviours we shall
know them (Matthew 7:16).
2.
By the word that proceeds
from their mouth (I Timothy 4:12)
3.
By the behaviours exhibited
at home and outside (Matthew 7:16)
4.
Doing the will of God (I
Timothy 6:6; I Timothy 4:8)
5.
Transparent Christian life
(Hebrews 12:14; Isaiah 35:8-10).
6.
Love for their neighbours (James 1:16-17)
7.
Reading
and being doers of he word of God (Psalm 119:112; James 1:22-23)
8.
They are not given up through problems or
challenges (Daniel 6:22)
9.
Punctuality before the Lord (II Thessalonians
3:6)
10.
During the time of worship, they are not found
wanting.
11.
They take prayers with all seriousness
(Matthew 21:21-22)
12.
Their faith is coupled with works, they also
participate in the work of God (James 2:14-17).
2.
SYMPTONS TO IDENTIFY CHRISTIAN WITHOUT
SOLID FOUNDATION
(Galatians 5:19-21; Matthew 7:16)
1.
We shall know them by their
behaviours and actions
2.
They always find it
difficult to do spiritual things.
3.
The time of service has no
meaning to them.
4.
The presence of God is like
somebody going to the market to them.
5.
Backbiting and character
assassination is part and parcel of them,
6.
The life of adultery, lies
and backbiting is paramount with them (I Corinthians 3:16-19).
7.
Looking for money in an
illegitimate way.
8.
Jesting and jesting with the
word of God. They have no regard for the word of God.
Let us put ourselves on the
scale. Is the foundation of our lives solid?
(Romans 12:1-2;
I Corinthians 4:1-2).
CONCLUSION
Jesus Christ says: “Whoever wants to
follow Me, let him deny himself, take his cross and
Follow Me”.
GHB 240 reads thus:
1.
Jesus, I my cross have I
taken, 2. Man may trouble and distress me,
All to leave and follow thee, T’will but drive me to
thy breast
Destitute, despised, forsaken, Life with trials hard may
press me
Thou from thence my all shall be, Heaven will bring me sweeter rest
Perish every fond ambition, Oh tis not in grief to
harm me,
All I’ve sought, or hoped, or known While thy love is left to me
Yet how rich is my condition Oh, t’were not in joy to
harm me
God and heaven are still my own. Were those joys unmixed with thee!
“If ye know all these things, happy (blessed) are
ye if ye do them”
–John
13:17.
PREPARED AND
DELIVERED BY DEACON PAUL ARIBISALA
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