Wednesday, September 22, 2010
At Base...
Mark Roberts looks at 1 Cor 3:11:
Of course, if you ask anyone that claims to be a Christian what they base their lives on, they will answer, "Jesus" - but if that were really true, the world would be a radically different place. Clearly we build foundations of something other than Christ and then try to pain it with some sort of "Jesus paint" so it looks like Him. I think that is idolatry - don't you?
SO what have you painted with Jesus Paint?
This passage speaks to all Christians who want to help their churches be strong and healthy. Churches can have a wide variety of foundations. Some are built on the charisma of a founding pastor. Some are based on a desire to reach people for Christ. Some are intended to represent their own denominational “flavor” in a certain area. Some are founded on authority and tradition. But 1 Corinthians 3:11 reminds us of the only solid, sure, and trustworthy foundation for every church . . . Jesus Christ, crucified and raised from the dead, the Lord and Savior.I am reminded of the hymn:
What is true for the church is equally true for each one of us. We are all tempted to build our lives on foundations other than Christ. Yet when we do, we will inevitably discover that our building begins to crumble because the foundation is inadequate. How much better to base our lives—and to live each day—intentionally resting on the grace, mercy, love, and justice of Christ!
The Church’s one foundationAnd the parable:
Is Jesus Christ her Lord,
She is His new creation
By water and the Word.
From heaven He came and sought her
To be His holy bride;
With His own blood He bought her
And for her life He died.
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."So much poured into a single metaphorical image. Must be important.
Of course, if you ask anyone that claims to be a Christian what they base their lives on, they will answer, "Jesus" - but if that were really true, the world would be a radically different place. Clearly we build foundations of something other than Christ and then try to pain it with some sort of "Jesus paint" so it looks like Him. I think that is idolatry - don't you?
SO what have you painted with Jesus Paint?
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