Foundations - Overview

My father was a builder, and when I was young, I would often help him lay out the foundations of the houses he was building.

I recall one house in particular where he had to dig down more than twenty feet to ensure the foundation was embedded on solid rock. In that house, there was more concrete under the ground than there were bricks in the building above.

I recall asking him why, and he said, “This land used to be the path of an old river and is still prone to flooding in heavy rains. We need to dig deep to ensure the house will stand in the event of a flood and not be washed away.”

I learned a valuable lesson that day about the need for a strong foundation that is dug deep and built upon the rock.

That same lesson applies to the walk of a Christian. We must be like that house and founded upon the Rock who is Jesus Christ. Jesus taught us about the importance of building a foundation upon the rock so that when the storms of life arose, we would not be washed away in the floods of crisis, disaster, and despair.

Jesus teaches us that this foundation is based upon His words. He said that those who hear and do His words are like a house founded upon the rock. But those who hear but don't do as He teaches are like a house built upon shifting sands: uncertain, weak, and easily wiped out in a storm.

The Bible tells us in Hebrews chapter 6, verses 1 and 2 what these foundations are.    

• Repentance    
• Faith towards God    
• Baptism    
• Laying on hands    
• Resurrection    
• Eternal Judgement

These are the six foundations of Christianity and it is these that all Christians need to understand and hold onto firmly if they are to grow to maturity and strength in Jesus Christ. These foundations are just a beginning, but they will help you to stand firm against the storms of this life.

Consider these questions:  

• Is your foundation built upon the rock of Jesus?    
• How well do you understand these six foundation teachings?   
• Are you willing to dig deep and build a strong foundation that will lead to maturity as a Christian?

A prayer point:  

• Ask the Lord for insight and understanding to guide you as you learn about these foundational teachings of Jesus Christ.