My Daily Pause

There are no shortcuts to laying a proper foundation

Since I have moved to Texas, I have heard a lot of radio advertisements about fixing the foundations of houses. The ground here seems to have a tendency to settle over time, causing instability in many buildings

Also, I am amazed at how many houses are gone in Galveston because of hurricane Ike in September, 2008. Years later it is evident where houses used to be – the results of inadequate foundations.

It is very evident how important it is to follow design specifications when building houses in Texas!

In the same way our building foundations are tested by the elements, all of us will be tested by God in his time. Paul uses this metaphor in 1 Corinthians 3:5-17 to help us make sure we are prepared for the judgment.

1. There is only one sufficient foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11) – People tend to get away from focusing on Christ’s sacrifice and build up around programs and “good” things forgetting to point others to salvation.
2. He leaves it to us to build up from there (1 Corinthians 3:12-13) – Everything we build will be tested. The good materials will stand. The poor materials will burn away.
3. The Spirit will be grieved when our “temple” falls (1 Corinthians 3:16-17) – If we are the temple of God, then we need to take care of it like it is his temple.

There are plenty of opinions on the exact meaning of these verses, but one thing is very clear: Christ provides the only authorized specifications for our spiritual foundation. Anything else puts God’s temple at risk.

The Denial of Peter – ca 1610 – Caravaggio (1573–1610)

What if we were to lump a decision not to act on behalf of Christ, into the same category as Peter denying Christ? (Matthew 26:69-75)

When we hear others make disparaging remarks about our Lord, isn’t failing to defend him the same as agreeing?

When consciously we do something sinful, isn’t that like turning our backs on him?

What if the Lord were to turn and look at you every time you deny him like he did to Peter that day? (Luke 22:61)

How would that feel?

Hebrews opens with the writer explaining the superiority of Christ over all of the devices of the Jews – the law, the prophets – Judaism in general. The Jews worked hard to discredit Christ as the one they were expecting, but many came to realize the truth.

For those who were weakened by the efforts of the Jews to discredit Christianity, the writer opened the letter with seven reasons that they should recognize Christ’s authority and his qualifications as the King of kings.

The Credentials of Christ

Hebrews 1:2-3 packs seven things to look for in Christ:

1. He was appointed heir of all things (Psalm 2:8, Hebrews 1:5)
2. The world was made through him (Colossians 1:16, John 1:3, Genesis 1:26)
3. His excellence of character (John 1:14) – This is noted in Hebrews 1:3a as his radiance or effulgence
4. He is the image of God (Hebrews 1:3b)
5. He is a sustaining force (Colossians 1:16-17)
6. He purchased our sins (1 Corinthians 6:20)
7. He sits at God’s right hand (1 Corinthians 15:25, Hebrews 8:1)

Through every conceivable right of lordship, Christ is in authority. The Bible is brimming with proof that should encourage the faithful student to continue to follow him. This is the primary reason that reading your Bible is so important – it causes your faith to grow. (Romans 10:17) The seven credentials of Christ listed in Hebrews 1 are points that are continuously proven throughout the Bible – Old and New Testaments. Having these proven time and time again is what gives us solid hope. (Hebrews 11:1)

Paul talks a lot about being in Christ. Between Romans 3 and Romans 6, Paul has given us seven significant ideas about being in Christ.

• Faith (Romans 3:26)
• Redemption (Romans 3:24)
• Peace (Romans 5:1)
• Rejoicing in God (Romans 5:11)
• Abundance of grace, gift of righteousness (Romans 5:17)
• Being alive unto God (Romans 6:11)
• Eternal life (Romans 6:22)

Romans 8 opens with “No condemnation”.

Understanding what it means to be in Christ might be the key bit you need to really understand Paul’s writings. To take a stab at it:

Being in Christ is to be included in the Lord’s church. The church is the social organism which forms Christ’s earthly body now. Once one is incorporated into it by baptism, the Christian is in Christ himself. (1 Corinthians 12:13, Romans 6:3, Galatians 3:26-27)

The First Gospel Message

In Genesis 3 Satan has caused man to fall and the our Master’s plan begins to unfold. God places a curse on Satan and his instruments and promises that his evil will be overcome. If you have extra time today, study a little closer Genesis 3:14-15 and see the promise of Christ’s arrival even at this early date. While Satan might have “bruised Christ’s heal” on the cross, Christ crushed Satan’s head and won. (Hebrews 2:14)

Each day, look for Christ in the Scriptures. We can find him and God’s promise for us in every book of the Bible!