Built on Nothing Less

When you decide to design and build a house, you need to get the best building materials you can find. Thus supplied, you must start by constructing a sturdy foundation. The all-important foundation exists to support the rest of the structure. Without a firm foundation, you will be sunk, possibly quite literally.

This commonsense principle applies to houses of all sizes and descriptions—and by extension even the most basic “house” of all—the human body that houses your spirit and soul. God wants to help you build a stable, successful Christian life that remains firmly rooted in Jesus Christ until you are called Home. He will provide you with all of the building materials as well as detailed building and maintenance instructions. Because you have given Him your assent, He Himself is the foundation, and He will see to it that you and anybody else who names His name will enjoy eternal-lifetime-guaranteed success.

That’s the ideal, anyway! But even with everything that has been made available to you regarding construction supplies and expert advice, how can you be sure that you have selected the very best foundation-building materials? What if, back when you first became a Christian, somebody sold you a bill of goods? What if your foundation has been laid poorly? Is it too late to rebuild?

The writer of the biblical letter to the Hebrews gave us a brief listing of the components of a firm foundation when he wrote:

Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

Hebrews 6:1–2

So I have summarized, with abundant biblical support, the basics of the Christian faith in this new book and study guide – A Radical Faith. In essence, this is a book-length Bible study on one theme, the enduring fundamentals of the faith that must be built into the foundation of every mature Christian so that he or she will never collapse in the face of the storms of life.

I truly hope this book and study guide will be used to make disciples, not just converts. Let’s raise the bar a bit and more firmly establish the foundational lordship of Jesus Christ in our lives. Are you with me?

God’s blueprints and His master plan for building the house of your life are contained in the Bible. He Himself is the Architect and the Builder. In this book, I have provided twelve chapters on twelve distinct, foundational aspects of a believer’s life. These match the study guide that has been published under the corresponding title. Other leaders may wish I had covered more (or fewer) topics in greater (or less) detail. But I feel that these particular topics, taken from that verse in Hebrews quoted above and from other important verses, do cover most of the basics. As I have organized this material and reworked it, I have been newly motivated to dedicate myself afresh to the Master Builder’s excellent construction process, and I trust that the same thing will happen for you.

David’s son Solomon wrote, “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it” (Psalm 127:1). May the Holy Spirit guide you through this study and help you establish a foundation that grows firmer over time, for the glory of Jesus Christ.

Because I have a deep affection for the old hymns of the Church, which so often summarize the basics of the faith in beautiful and memorable words, I have included a verse or two from some of my favorite hymns at the end of each chapter. I want to make it possible for you to read a chapter, replace your bookmark, close the book, and go about your daily round with a glad heart, humming “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19), all the while reviewing the magnificent truths on which you have built your life.

“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus and His righteousness. . . . On Christ the solid Rock I stand, All other ground is sinking sand. . . .”

For your assistance, we have designed a great new website for the launching of A Radical Faith. Visit it atwww.ARadicalFaith.com. Tell others about your contagious faith in Jesus Christ! Spread the word! Perhaps these tools can help establish a firm foundation in many lives.

Oh there is a 50% off Special for the Month of August also on the book and Study Guide together at www.jamesgoll.com. Just thought you might want to know! Great Resources at Great Prices!

Building With You!

James W. Goll

Follow @JamesGoll