What Foundation?

📖Scripture: “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 must be careful how he builds. For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss. He himself will be saved, but only as if through the flames.”1 Corinthians 3:10-15

🔎Reflection: In these fractured times—marked by the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk, and the ensuing national polarization—we must heed the Apostle Paul's Holy Spirit-inspired warning in 1 Corinthians 3:10-15. The Corinthian church, rife with divisions over human leaders and philosophies (1 Cor. 1:10-13), mirrors our own society's clamor for political saviors, whether “wholesome” conservative values or “toxic” progressive reforms.

Yet Paul declares unequivocally: no foundation endures except Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, our Creator (John 1:3), Lord (Phil. 2:11), and Savior (Titus 2:13). All else—moral compasses, political affiliations, or worldviews—is nothing but wood, hay, and straw, destined for the refining fire of divine judgment (v. 13; cf. Mal. 3:2-3). Therefore, it's not only about what FOUNDATION we're building on, but also what MATERIALS we're using to build.

This truth exposes the heresy of endless counterfeit gospels that plague us today. They might begin with things of Christ (science, law, morality, community, family, etc.), but then ultimately leave Him behind to worship the GIFTS rather than the GIVER. That's the heart of IDOLATRY. The notion that left-wing "anarchy," or right-wing conservativism can "fix" wokeness or societal ills is a false gospel, a Tower of Babel erected on human effort (Gen. 11:4), masquerading as righteousness (2 Cor. 11:14). It's building upon the FOUNDATION of Christ Jesus with trash materials that presume moral character, i.e., self-righteousness, can change hearts... trash material that will be burned up in judgment.

This lie ignores humanity's total depravity (Jer. 17:9; Rom. 3:10-18). Such ideologies, whether draped in "Christian Nationalism" or social justice, subvert the Church's unique and essential role, promising redemption through human systems rather than the cross. Scripture corrects: hearts are transformed solely by the one true Gospel—the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Rev. 13:8), pierced for our transgressions (Isa. 53:5). Christ alone crushes the Serpent's head (Gen. 3:15), regenerating dead sinners through the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-8; Ezk. 36:26-27), not through votes, protests, political affiliations, or moral reforms.

Paul's imagery is sobering: even the saints’ works face testing (v. 13-15). If built on Christ, they yield eternal reward; if on fleeting alliances (Israel, Trump, Whoopie, etc.), they are burned away. Meanwhile, our inheritance in Christ is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading (1 Pet 1:4). Our salvation endures by the Grace of grace (1 Pet 1:5; Eph. 2:8-9). This calls us to examine ourselves (2 Cor. 13:5): Are we gathering with Christ (Matt. 12:30) in His Body, or scattering through presumptuous alliances?

True change flows from submission to the Word's washing (Eph. 5:26; Ps. 139:23-24), not human ingenuity or invention. In Christ, we find and experience God’s covenant-loyalty (khesed; Phil. 1:6), which empowers obedience that glorifies God alone. Therefore, let us reject the Devil's lies of "good" apart from the Gospel, for only Jesus redeems the lost, building an unshakable and everlasting kingdom (Heb. 12:28).

🤺Action: Today, set aside time to prayerfully examine a recent political or social opinion you've held strongly—perhaps shared on social media or in conversation—and test it against Scripture (2 Cor. 13:5). Ask: Does this build upon Christ alone, or human wisdom? Does it build up Christ’s Church? Is it ultimately rooted in faith in Christ? Because if not, then Scripture reveals it as sin (Rom 14:23b). Prayerfully consider reaching out to one person entangled in ideological division, not to share your political views but the GOSPEL: Christ's death and resurrection as the exclusive remedy for sin (Acts 4:12). Invite them to come to church with you this Sunday. Invite them to study God's Word together, moving from self-righteous efforts to surrendered faith that truly transforms by the grace of God.

🙏Prayer: Sovereign LORD Jesus, Serpent Crusher, we cry out for Your mercy on broken sinners like us, ensnared by deceitful hearts and worldly patterns. Expose our counterfeit foundations and building materials, refine us by Your fire, and regenerate the lost through the light of Your Gospel—Christ crucified and risen. Redeem individuals, not systems, drawing them into Your Body for eternal life. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Click the following link for a short video version:

https://youtube.com/shorts/H-6qmEj48FY?feature=shared

Blessings & love,

Kevin M. Kelley

Pastor

BigIslandChristianChurch.com