“A culture or an individual with a weak base can stand only when the pressure on it is not too great. As an illustration, let us think of a Roman bridge. The Romans built little humpbacked bridges over many of the streams of Europe. People and wagons went over these structures safely for centuries, for two millennia. But if people today drove heavily loaded trucks over these bridges, they would break. It is this way with the lives and value systems of individuals and cultures when they have nothing stronger to build on than their own limitedness, their own finiteness. They can stand when pressures are not too great, but when pressures mount, if then they do not have sufficient base, they crash---just as a Roman bridge would cave in under the weight of a modern six-wheeled truck. Culture and the freedoms of people are fragile. Without a sufficient base, when such pressures come only time is needed—and often not a great deal of time—before there is a collapse.” (Francis Schaeffer, How Should We Then Live, p.23) Francis Schaeffer was right; the base one has must be strong enough to hold the weight that is bearing on it. As the bridge is analogous to strength, so is Christ to us. He is our strength! If we build on another foundation we run the risk of collapse. If our foundation or base is less than Christ’s Words then we run the risk of tumbling down and the fall will be great. In Mathew 7, Jesus said that the philosophical, scientific, and theological ideas we erect must be on His sayings. If not we will suffer great loss when the storms of life hit. Our base of operation then must be from the standpoint of Jesus’ Words. If we are faithful to anything else we will be building on precarious grounds. Therefore, we must choose today which philosophy or theology you will build your life on? What sayings will you build your lifetime upon? Will it be on education? Will it be on friends and family? Will it be on the culture? Will it be on a political view? Will it be on your favorite talk show host? Will it be on superstition? Will it be on the Horoscope? Or, will it be on the Bible? Will it be on the Words of truth? Make your choice count today and forever more.          

Pastor Jim Cater