From Foundation to Perfection
Copyright ©2015 by Ayodele Ajileye
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Ayodele Ajileye
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Unless otherwise stated, all scriptural references are taken from the New Living Translation of the bible. Italics in scriptures are for emphasis only.
To everyone who desires to grow in the new life in Christ that God calls us into.
Table of contents
Introduction
The simultaneous equation
Acknowledgement
About the Author
Introduction
Many things go wrong when the basics are not in place. The foundation is very important in anything that will stand and fulfill purpose. You have probably wondered if the Christian life you now see is what Christ called us into. Perhaps, like me, you are also wondering what went wrong.
If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? Psalm 11:3 NKJV
Well, the foundations went wrong. The foundation of the lifestyle that God calls us into has been compromised and destroyed. And until we go back to the foundation and put things in order, the deviation of the Christian life from the life of Christ will continue to broaden.
Perhaps, you have heard some people trying to differentiate genuine Christians with the phrase “born again Christian”. The word Christian means a person who belongs to Christ. And you cannot belong to Christ if you are not born again. So, the phrase “born again Christian” does not exist. It is either a person belongs to Christ or he does not.
Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” 2 Timothy 2:19 NKJV
This means that the foundation laid down by God is not destroyed. And God know those whose lives are planted on His foundation because they depart from sin. So, if God’s foundation is still intact, then it means that people are not founded on God’s foundation. This is why there are so many inconsistencies in the lives of many Christians. The citizens of Antioch saw a common ground in the first church and that common ground was that, regardless of diversity, temperament, social class and race, the life of Christ could still be seen in every believer. It was so evident that they had to name them “Christians”.
May be you have also wondered why many children of God are not growing into sons of God yet they have been given the power to be called the sons of God (John 1:12). God has given the power for His Children to be called son, but it is up to a child to use the power and really become a son. So, why is there no growth? If the root of a plant is missing, then growth is impossible. Unless a plant develops roots, it will not grow and eventually, it dies. It will die because growth is one of the characteristics of living things. Many children of God are aging but are not growing and this is only possible because they are not drawing the necessary nutrients from the soil – the Rock – God who is the solid foundation.
What can the righteous do? The righteous can do what is right. When the righteous realizes that the foundations are destroyed, he should repair it if possible or else tear down the structure, lay the foundation and rebuild. My pastor, Jumoke Ajire, never stops to remind me that it is never too late to start over no matter how far you have gone wrong. How far you have gone does not right a wrong. And no matter what has been invested into a structure, if the foundation is bad, the whole structure is bad.
Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus answered and said to him, “…and on this rock will I build My church…” Matthew 16:16&18 NKJV
Jesus said that there is a rock on which He will build His church. His church is His alone to build, but He builds it on a rock that serves as the foundation so that His church can draw all that is needed for strength, sustenance and increase in all wise.
Therefore, let’s get started, even if it is all over again, on the right foot.
So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding. Hebrew 6:1-3
So, there sure are foundations that have to be put in place. These foundations according to Hebrews 6:1-3 are – the foundation of repentance from dead work, the foundation of faith toward God, the foundational teaching on baptism, the foundational teaching on laying on of hand, the foundational teaching on resurrection and the foundational teaching on eternal judgment. If anyone must get it right in his life in Christ, then these foundations must be understood and be in place.
My dear, I’d really love that you allow the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart through this book as you set the foundations of your life in Christ right. I’m not about to give you some theory, it is what God is still dealing with me on. I’m growing and it will be better if you also grow in Christ. Don’t just read, meditate and apply to your life.
God with you.