Laying the right foundation
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LAYING THE RIGHT FOUNDATION IN CHRIST As Christians, we are soldiers on a unique journey, the nature of which our Lord described in His mandate to us in Mathew 28:19 and backed us with the required authority in Luke 10:19. Our journey is unique in the sense that it has a beginning (***i.e. when we accept God’s gift of salvation by being born again) but no end (eternity). As Christians, we are soldiers of the Lord’s army and are involved in spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:12) whether we realise this or not. It is important therefore that we are well prepared and equipped for our journey by laying and building on the right foundation. 1st Corinthians 3:11-13 tells us for no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become manifest; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. Two important concepts are thrown out here. The foundation which is Jesus Christ is “Faith” based (having faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross) while the building on that foundation is “works” based. These are fundamental elements of the Christian journey that should be properly understood. This is further buttressed in James 2:14-26 where we are made to understand that faith without works is dead. Bringing this down to the concept of righteousness which is a key foundation upon which our faith is based we have the gift of righteousness (Romans 5:17 – For if by one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) and the fruits of righteousness (Philippians 1:11 – being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.) The gift of righteousness is faith based and is imputed to us as soon as we accept God’s free gift of salvation while the fruit(s) of righteousness is works based and involves a process over time. To the extent that we grow and mature in Christ we will become more fruitful (John 15:5 – I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing). To help us understand these concepts better please find below two links, one addressing the gift of righteousness and the other the fruits of righteousness. It is my
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Transcript of Laying the right foundation
LAYING THE RIGHT FOUNDATION IN CHRIST
As Christians, we are soldiers on a unique journey, the nature of which our Lord described in His mandate to us in Mathew 28:19 and backed us with the required authority in Luke 10:19. Our journey is unique in the sense that it has a beginning (***i.e. when we accept God’s gift of salvation by being born again) but no end (eternity). As Christians, we are soldiers of the Lord’s army and are involved in spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:12) whether we realise this or not. It is important therefore that we are well prepared and equipped for our journey by laying and building on the right foundation. 1st Corinthians 3:11-13 tells us for no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become manifest; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. Two important concepts are thrown out here. The foundation which is Jesus Christ is “Faith” based (having faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross) while the building on that foundation is “works” based. These are fundamental elements of the Christian journey that should be properly understood. This is further buttressed in James 2:14-26 where we are made to understand that faith without works is dead.
Bringing this down to the concept of righteousness which is a key foundation upon which our faith is based we have the gift of righteousness (Romans 5:17 – For if by one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) and the fruits of righteousness (Philippians 1:11 – being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.) The gift of righteousness is faith based and is imputed to us as soon as we accept God’s free gift of salvation while the fruit(s) of righteousness is works based and involves a process over time. To the extent that we grow and mature in Christ we will become more fruitful (John 15:5 – I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing). To help us understand these concepts better please find below two links, one addressing the gift of righteousness and the other the fruits of righteousness. It is my prayer that our helper and teacher (the Holy Spirit) will reveal the truths of God’s word in our heart. Amen.
1. https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Topical.show/RTD/cgg/ID/1257/Fruit-of- Righteousness.htm
2. http://www.awmi.net/reading/teaching-articles/whose_righteousness/ 3. ***If you are yet to accept God’s gift of salvation and would like to know more about this please
visit this link http://www.slideshare.net/ayodeleodugbemi/the-gospel2-nov-2015-updated
