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1 Corinthains 3: 9-13 Amplified Edition
For we are fellow workmen (joint promoters, laborers together) with and for God; you are God’s garden and vineyard and field under cultivation, [you are] God’s building. [Isa. 61:3.]
10 According to the grace (the special endowment for my task) of God bestowed on me, like a skillful architect and master builder I laid [the] foundation, and now another [man] is building upon it. But let each [man] be careful how he builds upon it,
11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is [already] laid, which is Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
12 But if anyone builds upon the Foundation, whether it be with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,
13 The work of each [one] will become [plainly, openly] known (shown for what it is); for the day [of Christ] will disclose and declare it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test and critically appraise the character and worth of the work each person has done.
Building a foundation is very important. It must be durable to stand the test of time. It must be built on solid ground. Well-prepared to stand against all that the elements will throw at it.
Cold, heat, wind, and storms will come against its very existence. Sometimes it will be okay and other times it will be brutal. At times, you won’t even know it was there because the foundation saved you.
You never know when these tests will come, in what forms it will come, or how long it will last. But it will be tested. Therefore, it is vital to build it right. You must be also very selective of who will build on this foundation. One wrong stone, or one misstep can make this a skew building that will crumble when weight is applied.
So, let’s look at the steps needed before you even touch the shovel.
1. Building Foundations by Marking Out a Level Datum Point. A datum point is a point of reference from which further measurements can be made. The point can be based on the finished floor level, an existing building, or a benchmark.
A datum is a theoretically perfect feature.
A datum level is an arbitrary horizontal plane on a construction project used as a reference point for all other vertical dimensions to be measured. It is used to highlight differentials between vertical heights of floor levels along with differing levels of two separate points on the site.
Andy Parkin, Managing Director of Speed Screed
With this knowledge, I have concluded that, just as a piece of ground must be prepared for construction, I must be prepared for construction, either. But before construction can begin, the ground must be levelled.
His will is for you to become a temple. One that God use, and to do that He will use His datum level to measure your life. He will highlight the areas you have to separate from to come to His standard. This is where you count the cost. What are you willing to lay down for Christ? Remember the rich young man who wanted to follow Jesus? Jesus told him to sell everything he owned and then follow him. This instruction upset this man so much that he walked away because he was very rich. He was clearly tested, count the cost and decided not to continue. His heart was not fixed on the things of God.
This process begins when you are born again. Here, you learn the fundamentals of being a follower and ambassador of Christ. Each time He gives you something new to do, you are listening to His instruction to come closer to the calling God has for your life.
God, place His datum level against your life and adjust your heart to be on the same level field as Christ. Only then can you be built upon, used and sent.
Too many times, people are sent out before they are on the same level as Christ. This is where they get hurt, fall for any false doctrine, and become disputant to the voice of God. If you have missed the foundation stage, your building project will crumble. Because of trials and tribulations, meant to shape us, it hardens our heart, and we think we know better. This kind of path always leads to the pigsty, and ultimately, death if you don’t turn back.
You must begin at the foundation.
WHO IS THE DATUM POINT IN OUR LIFE?
1 Corinthains 3: 14-18 Amplified Edition
If the work which any person has built on this Foundation [any product of his efforts whatever] survives [this test], he will get his reward.
15 But if any person’s work is burned up [under the test], he will suffer the loss [of it all, losing his reward], though he himself will be saved, but only as [one who has passed] through fire. [Job 23:10.]
16 Do you not discern and understand that you [the whole church at Corinth] are God’s temple (His sanctuary), and that God’s Spirit has His permanent dwelling in you [to be at home in you, collectively as a church and also individually]?
17 If anyone does hurt to God’s temple or corrupts it [with false doctrines] or destroys it, God will do hurt to him and bring him to the corruption of death and destroy him. For the temple of God is holy (sacred to Him) and that [temple] you [the believing church and its individual believers] are.
18 Let no person deceive himself. If anyone among you supposes that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool [let him discard his worldly discernment and recognize himself as dull, stupid, and foolish, without true learning and scholarship], that he may become [really] wise. [Isa. 5:21.]
1 Corinthains 11:1-3 Amplified Edition
PATTERN YOURSELVES after me [follow my example], as I imitate and follow Christ (the Messiah).
2 I appreciate and commend you because you always remember me in everything and keep firm possession of the traditions (the substance of my instructions), just as I have [verbally] passed them on to you.
3 But I want you to know and realize that Christ is the Head of every man, the head of a woman is her husband, and the Head of Christ is God.
John 10:27-28 Amplified Edition
The sheep that are My own, hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me.
28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never lose it or perish throughout the ages. [To all eternity they shall never by any means be destroyed.] And no one is able to snatch them out of My hand.
According to these scriptures, Christ is our Datum Point.
You have heard the phrase, “God accepts me as I am.” And then we continue with what we are doing while in the world. But, in actuality, God might accept us, but when we begin to grow and listen, He expects us to change into the image of Christ.
In this phase, He takes us to the construction site and chips away all that does not look like Christ. So, he might accept you as you are, but He will not leave you as you are.
But this is where many fail to understand the ways of God. They still want to do what they want to do. Not get rid of sin and not obey the voice of God.
You can only do this when you have the right builder or the right shepherd to lead you to be an exact representation of Christ.
Isaiah 28:16
Therefore thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’
You must become a tested stone before you can embark on any path. You must be slotted into the cornerstone, and your foundation must be strong or sure. Sure means that you are confident that you know something or that you are right. You cannot be sure if you don’t have the Word of God in you.
1 Corinthians 3:11
For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ is our datum point. The one we are measured against. He is our reference. If we are full of ourselves, not willing to hate all sentimental relationships and follow Christ, we cannot be a disciple.
Luke 14: 26
“Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple.”
2. Calculate Material to be Removed for Building Foundations. Next, calculate how much material needs to be removed from the site to end up back at finished floor level once all the layers of flooring materials (insulation, concrete, screed, etc) have gone down. Time taken with a site level at this stage will make things easier later on when the digger may not be able to reach any areas that have not been dug deep enough.
We must dig deep and remove all things not needed, or that what hinders our progress. Removing everything from our lives will cost us something. It is crucial to calculate the cost because once you have begun, it’s hazardous to stop. Be patient and learn while you calculate all you must lay aside. For instance, you cannot take a break while under construction. You must push through.
When you go to a quarry site where coal is unearthed, it looks messy and very confusing. But, unless they don’t go deep into the ground, they will not find the coal. The black stickiness of the unearthed area clings to everything. It is hard and filthy labour, but when a diamond is discovered, the people rejoice.
To unearth that one diamond cost time and money. Lots of calculation went into that site to unearth that precious stone. Layers upon layers of dirt had to be taken away, and someone had to do it. That is part of the labouring. That is part of the cost.
Who paid the price for your precious stone to be discovered? Jesus did. He became flesh; he became the Good Shepherd and when you listen to His voice; he leads you to the still waters. Waters that will purify you until you are smooth and pliable.
Becoming a representation of Christ takes years in the making.
Wherever you find yourself in life, make sure that your focus is on Christ. That your datum level is on par with Christ. Make sure that you have calculated the cost.
God wants you to succeed. He wants you to become a firm structure in Him.
Take this time of reflection to truly be still and listen to the still, small voice of God. Act on what He shows you, lay down what needs to be laid down.
Grace and peace to you.
This chapter is divided into a few sections.
Stay connected to hear more on how to set up your foundation.
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