1 Corinthians 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. y: — I. Jesus Christ is the foundation on which we are to build, inasmuch as IT IS FROM HIM ALONE THAT WE PROCURE A KNOWLEDGE OF OUR DUTY. Look to the opinions and practices of man not blessed with the light of revelation, and you will perceive how imperfect is the knowledge of duty possessed by the natural man. Not such are the instructions as to the duty of man which are vouchsafed us by the gospel of Jesus Christ. The lives of professors must correspond with Christ's commandments, that the building may be worthy of the foundation! II. "Other foundation can no man lay than Jesus Christ," because BY HIM ALONE ARE WE INSTRUCTED IN THE RIGHT PRINCIPLE ON WHICH OUR DUTY IS TO BE PERFORMED. A sense of affectionate gratitude to God is the principle on which the whole duty of a Christian is established. This is the foundation of His religion: this is no less the foundation of His morality. Can any principle be so firm? can any be so pure? Honour may dazzle, custom may mislead, expediency may perplex us, and neither honour, nor custom, nor expediency will at all times support us in the discharge of our duty: but his "feet are set upon a rock," whose "goings are ordered" by a desire of doing the will of a perfect and unchangeable, of an infinitely wise and holy Being. Again, unlike the principles of the world in another important respect, what motive of human conduct can be so pure as a grateful affection towards God? "God is love." And human nature is never more exalted and improved than when it partakes most largely of the quality which is identified with God, when with the most devout affection "we love Him, because He first loved us." III. Jesus Christ is the only foundation on which we can build, because, as we are indebted to Him for the knowledge both of our duty and of the principle on which it is to be done, so also WE DERIVE FROM HIM THE POWER OF DOING IT. IV. Jesus Christ is the only foundation on which we can build, inasmuch as IT IS HE WHO RENDERS OUR SERVICES ACCEPTABLE TO ALMIGHTY GOD V. Christ Jesus then being the foundation, the only foundation on which we are to build, let us inquire WHETHER WE BUILD UPON HIM IN THE SEVERAL PARTICULARS THAT HAVE BEEN NOW PASSING UNDER OUR VIEW. 1. Is our practice regulated by that perfect law of religious and moral duty which Christ hath set before us in the gospel? Do we submit ourselves — our souls and bodies — our thoughts, words, and deeds — to the Christian commandments? Do we yield to their authority an unreserved, an unqualified, an universal obedience? 2. What is the principle which we choose as our actuating motive? Is it love for our heavenly Father? 3. In the execution of our duty, on what foundation do we build our hopes that we shall be able to perform it? Do we rely upon our own imaginary strength to support us in the hour of trial, or do we humbly depend upon the Divine grace? 4. After all that by the grace of God we have been enabled to do, on what foundation do we rest our hopes that our services will be accepted by God? Is it upon any value which those services possess of themselves, or, renouncing all claim to merit on our own parts, do we trust our cause to the perfect righteousness of Christ? (Bp. Mant.) Parallel Verses KJV: For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.WEB: For no one can lay any other foundation than that which has been laid, which is Jesus Christ. |
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