The Right Foundation

By JOSEPH HARRIS

A good foundation is always important. A solid foundation is essential in the construction of a building. A strong academic background is important for success in higher education. The parable Jesus told about the wise man and the foolish man is more than just a children’s Bible story. Rock is always preferable to sand for a foundation.America’s "multi-cultural diverse" society is built upon the sand of man’s wisdom and not the rock of God.

Our public government education system is built on the sinking sand of humanism and relativism and not the solid rock of absolute truth. American politics is built on the sand of public opinion instead of principles based upon God’s wisdom. Many modern churches are built upon marketing to the consumer's needs with no regard for what pleases God.  I could go on with examples, but you get the picture.

Though it sounds too simple, the basic "why" of man’s problems is traced directly back to the exclusion of God. Now don’t go to the illogical conclusion that the presence of God means the absence of all problems, or you might get initiated into the "name it and claim it" club and begin your own program on TBN. "Man . . . is born unto trouble," according to a wise man who well knew by experience.

Notice,  the Bible does not begin with a plea for salvation or how to live a holy life or how to be victorious over sin. It begins with the foundation of the existence of GOD. Genesis 1:1 does not even try to prove the existence of God. It assumes His existence. The scripture simply says, "In the beginning, GOD . . ."

Belief in God as Creator is foundational because if you do not accept the existence of the Creator, nothing else matters. Acceptance of God as Creator precedes acceptance of God as Savior. The foundation must precede the building. This fact explains why Satan tries to supplant the Creator and creation with evolution. If there is no Creator, there is nothing. Zero.

No beginning, no ending and nothing in between, hence we are all animals with no purpose for existence and no destination but the grave. Wow, what hope and comfort evolution gives!

Christianity supplies something no other religion, philosophy or world view can completely give: (1) beginning; (2) purpose, and (3) destination. Christianity provides a perfect trinity of explanation of: (1) origin of everything (God), (2) the meaning of life (glorify God), and (3) the conclusion of it all (eternity with or without God). Notice, God is the center of the threefold explanation.

God is essential. Man is not capable of ultimate success apart from God because of depravity,  and real success is more than having money or things. Man, left to himself, apart from God, will always degenerate. Since Adam, every person has entered this world with a predisposition to turn away from God and commit sin. Every society in human history that ignored God eventually crumbled.

When it comes to your life, don’t just include God. Build your life around Him. Place God at the center. Put Him first in your life, first in your marriage, first in your finances, and first in your work.  "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ."  I Corinthians 3:11.

Joseph Harris is the Vice President of Southeastern Baptist College in Laurel, MS. (This article may be reprinted in whole, as long as the name Joseph Harris and www.miniedition.net is included)