Building on the Foundation of Jesus Christ

"According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon." - 1 Corinthians 3:10

Paul laid the foundation on the Rock (1Cor.10:1-4), which is Jesus Christ. How did he lay the foundation? By preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.

"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" - 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

The church in Corinth was saved because they received the gospel and OBEYED the gospel, for they did not “believe in vain.” They followed Jesus’ death by crucifying their sinful nature in repentance, turning their back on sin; they followed Jesus’ burial by being buried with Him by baptism in Jesus name for the remission of their sins; they followed Jesus’ resurrection by receiving His gift of His Holy Ghost, the power of God’s Spirit to walk in a new life, overcoming sin.

We have laid the foundation of Jesus Christ in our lives by obeying the gospel. Now it is time to go on to “perfection.” In other words, it is time to spiritually grow up.

"Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment." - Hebrews 6:1-2

The next step is building on our foundation.

"Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is." - 1 Corinthians 3:12-13

We must be careful how we build on our foundation after we are baptized in Jesus name and filled with the Holy Ghost. We must build with “good works.” We must shine the light of God’s love and mercy to all.

"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." - Matthew 5:14-16

One way to share the love and mercy of Jesus, which we are called to do, is to share the gospel. It is by the gospel that the mercy and love of God is passed on to others. WE “have received mercy” when we obeyed the gospel; now by love we will pass on the “light of the glorious gospel of Christ.”

"Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; ... But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." - 2 Corinthians 4:1, 3-4

"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." - 2 Corinthians 4:6 KJV

It is time to build on our foundation “good works” that will survive the holy fire of God. It is time to make prayer part of our life. It is time to live a life of mercy and love for others. It is time to live a holy life. As we have received from Jesus, let us give.