Foundation & Character:
Hi! I’ve been camping in the Wasatch Range near Bear Lake Idaho. Haven’t seen one bear but the forest is stunning. Got here by traveling north on US89 through the middle of Utah – more fabulous camping but don’t tell anyone, shh!
Planned to go on to Lava Hot Springs but weather arrived overnight. All socked-in here as I write. Rain, fog, and even a little snow is expected. I don’t drive either at night or in foul stuff, so I’ll stay put for a couple days – waiting for the clearing.
Small rules and good choices tend to keep van-life going swell. It’s the same for life in Christ!
You know I attend a men’s group back in Las Vegas? May have mentioned this in another blog? Anyway, a couple meet-ups back Samuel (young pastor) gave one guy good advice very fitting for the guy’s life situation. Samuel encouraged him to apply a strong focus on Foundation and Character.
I think that this spiritual admonition ought to be embraced by all of us in Christ, especially since we are examples to family, other believers, and as well we are lights to the world. Keep shining!
I’ve been focused on those two areas for a decade or so and have concluded they are the main admonitions in Christ originally prescribed by heaven. And since I haven’t yet “arrived” I share and then learn from the resulting discussions. Iron sharpens iron.
Foundation: it’s whatever supports and anchors, for example a building. And you are Christ’s building! So, He provides us the exact ingredients that ought to go into the concrete mix. To ignore this is to build your house on sand, and a lousy outcome awaits as the storm is inevitable. Matthew 7.
The six ingredients for your foundation are found here, read Hebrews 6:1-3. All that is needed is for you to identify the Principles, maybe memorize them, but certainly start asking Father to explain each – their value and careful application. Some modern believers recognize these principles but often forget that it’s after the brief learning cycle that a long period of faithful application begins – a lifetime. For as long as we are standing, we can assess our position, hopefully on this foundation of Christ’s principles.
I wrote a book about this, but you don’t necessarily need it if you start with the verses and begin honestly asking Father for clarification and how to apply (for yourself) these principles of Christ which become your life’s foundation.
Character: I thought of basketball when Samuel suggested the value of character paired with the idea of foundation. A team player has skills, but also a lot of solid character. Neither a ball hog nor a cheater makes for a great game.
And so it is in Christ that we all begin to develop our best character … for the kingdom. And again, Christ gives us the heavenly prescribed method, this time with Keys. These are found here, 2 Peter 1:5-11, read it.
Now rather than a list, a process to follow is provided to us. Seven steps guide and in our diligent application He shapes us. This process is how our best kingdom character is developed.
Yes, you are an individual, you are free to learn and apply these keys or not. But Peter explains expected outcomes – fruitfulness or shortsighted failure. You choose.
I wrote a different book about this – but you don’t need it either. Just start with the verses and ask Father for insight in how to turn (for yourself) these character developing keys that Christ promised us.
May we all be led by The Spirit to build only upon His firm foundation – principles. May we also develop our kingdom character by turning the keys He promised.