Groundwork

There has been a major construction going on next door to a deli where I frequently eat lunch. The construction started about two years ago. At first, things seemed to be moving along pretty rapidly. But then, it seemed like construction was stalled for several months. One day, out of curiosity, I asked one of the workers at the site why it was taking so long to get the building erected. He replied, “The people who did the surveying for the site overlooked the fact that old gas tanks (from an old gas station) were buried underneath the site. Those tanks had to be removed before the foundation could be laid.

"Wow! What a critical error! Had the foundation for that 3-story building been built on top of those gas tanks it could have caused a catastrophic incident. You see, those metal tanks were slowly but surely corroding underground. After years of corroding, they would have finally collapsed, potentially causing the building erected above it to collapse as well. It is so important that the ground beneath a building’s foundation be completely stable … especially if the building is a multiple level building.

I can’t help but think about what Paul said about the importance of having Jesus as the foundation for our lives. In 1 Corinthians 3:11, he says, “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” But what happens if the ground beneath the foundation is unstable? What if there are defects in the soil? Even if the foundation is strong, can the weakness of the ground beneath the foundation create a problem? Most definitely! That’s why it’s so important for a person to repent of their sins of the past as they accept Jesus as the foundation for their lives. When repentance takes place, the sins of the past that have been buried inside us are removed. A cleansing takes place. That cleansing and removal of past sins ensures that the foundation of Christ will be strong, and what is built upon His foundation will stand the test of time.

I’ve seen it, and I’m sure you have too … people have gotten their lives straightened out and have surrendered to Christ, but several years later they’ve turned away. Many times it was because there were things buried beneath the foundation that never gotten taken care of. Sins of the past were never dealt with, confessed, or repented of.

Do you remember what the ministry of John the Baptist was? He called people to repentance so they could receive the kingdom of God that Jesus came to bring us. Repentance came first. The groundwork had to be done first so the foundation could be laid.

Friends, Jesus wants you to build your life on Him. Just don’t forget the groundwork that needs to take place before the foundation can be built upon. Repentance, forgiveness, cleansing … it’s all crucial to ensuring that the building of your life stand tall … and also stand the test of time.

Isaiah 28:16So this is what the Lord GOD says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will never be shaken.”

Hans Lampinen

Submitted by Pastor Stan