How Important Are Foundations?

When I think of nations, I think of foundations.  America thinks that they had a strong foundation, yet it is certainly changing rapidly.  What was righteous and proper before, is now opposed and just considered a new opportunity to expand personal freedoms.  America was discovered in 1492, yet has only been a sovereign nation since 1776.  Cambodia officially became a nation in the year 802.  Since it was founded, there is been massive changes.  On several occasions the entire nation has changed religions: from animistic, to Brahmanism, to Mahayana Buddhist, to Theravada Buddhist, to Atheist and more recently large numbers of people are converting to Christianity.  There has been political upheaval and genocide several times in their history.  Why?  The only thing that I can determine is that this is part of their “culture” and “worldview” which comes directly from their foundation.  The United States’ foundations are being tested every day.  It is a very young country and may not survive.  The building looks impressive. We are the richest nation in the world by far.  But just like that multi-storey building in China, if our foundations are not correct, or they become destroyed or eroded, when a strong wind comes the building will collapse.  What value is a 13 storey building laying on its side?  It is worthless.  In fact, everything that was put into the building, the millions of dollars spent, the thousands of working hours are all for nothing.  What was once an impressive structure will only be demolished and used for filler material on another building site.

I am not an expert builder, but I think we have to be sure we always build our nations, our lives and our families on a solid foundation.  That foundation must be a foundation of righteousness, holiness and obedience to God’s commands.  No exceptions.  We wouldn’t want our nation to fall over like that building in China.

“¹⁰ By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. ¹¹ For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, ¹³ his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. ¹⁴ If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. ¹⁵ If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.” (1 Corinthians 3:10-15)