THE FOUNDATION FOR VICTORIOUS LIVING (1)
The foundation of a building is the rock-like certainty to which every dependent part of the building is attached. Without a foundation a building is insecure and short-lived, being at the mercy of every blast of wind and storm. Life also must have a foundation, a central certainty from which all our uncertainties receive strength and stability. Without such a foundation we are nervous about living and confused about dying; without it our reason for living is misguided and our eternal assurance is in question. 1 John 1:1-4 brings before us the essential foundation for victorious living. God intended for every person to be joyful and successful in living. One can be successful in life and a failure in living. Success in life is incidental, but success in living is crucial. Do not stumble through life, half-believing and half-doubting. Live a full, complete life - a life of service, joy, and spiritual victory. This passage will point you to the only foundation upon which true abundant living can be built.
The first part of the foundation to which John refers is the divine revelation. No one can face the responsibilities and rigors of life with meaning, assurance, and true victory without his life being tied to a foundation which is stronger than life. The Person about whom John speaks is greater than hardships, rebuffs, and death! What a foundation for life! John says, "A supernatural Person from beyond life has come to help us live life." Eternity has entered time; Deity has touched humanity. The revelation of Jesus is concrete and complete. His coming was not obscure and vague, untouchable and unapproachable. John says, ”What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we beheld and our hands handled, . . .” - (1 John 1:1). Man heard Him, saw Him, and touched Him. Eternal life, the express image of God, lived and walked among us! Is more evidence necessary?
How could the revelation be improved? One of the great proofs of the validity of this revelation is the content and nature of the revelation itself. Could Jesus have been invented? Is it possible for Jesus to be the product of man’s mind? Man’s deeds and accomplishments, though sometimes masterful and amazing, are imperfect. Man cannot create perfection. Here, however, is a perfect Jesus in a perfect Bible. Before man can discard Jesus he must disprove His perfection. Can you find a flaw in His life? The brightest minds of the ages have surveyed and scrutinized His life, but have found no mistakes. His perfection remains intact. But a foundation is of no value unless it is used. Base and build your life upon this revelation. Life may change, friends may leave us, disease may come, and accidents may occur but values and purposes when grounded in this revelation will remain unchanged. When you are anchored to the unchangeable, the changes of life will not destroy you.
We tie ourselves to the divine revelation by living by the words of Jesus and His inspired writers and by making His purposes our purposes. This is the beginning, the commencement. Without this foundation the hard knocks of life will knock us out! Without this foundation the house of life will crumble into the dust.
Word Affirmation: “ And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it." - Matthew 28:2 (Don't just say it, mean it!)
“ One can be successful in life and a failure in living. Success in life is incidental, but success in living is crucial. "
MIND THIS