The Benefits Of A Biblical Worldview Series

The Benefits of a Biblical Worldview

How To Think Like God, Part 2

Last week, I made the case for consciously exchanging the “basic principles of the world” for a biblical worldview. I built this case on Paul’s letter to the Colossians, chapter 2, verse 8:

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. Colossians 2:8

There is a way of looking at the world with is both hollow and deceptive. It has no real substance and it is a lie. Undergirding this worldview are the “basic principles of the world. These principles oppose Jesus Christ.

Rather than buying the idea that God is like a doting grandparent in the sky who is tolerant of all my mistakes because He knows that I am basically good, I proposed that we accept the biblical view that God is both loving AND holy. That he is pure and separate as well as intimate and close. And that people are born sinful. I am not holy or good, but I sin and, left to myself, I am separated from God. As such, I cannot earn my way into God’s presence. You can see these points in the chart on the outline in your bulletin.

The world says…

1. God is loving and tolerant.

2. People are basically good.

3. People can and must earn God’s favor.

The Bible says…

1. God is loving and holy.

2. People are basically sinful.

3. People can do nothing to earn God’s favor.

We can only trust Jesus Christ.

Today, I would like to talk about the benefits of thinking about and viewing life from God’s perspective. What difference will it make if I believe what the Bible says and work at re-orienting my thinking? Pastor, how will my life be better if I do what you are advocating? As always, I am glad you asked. First…

1. YOU WILL BUILD A FIRM FOUNDATION FOR YOUR LIFE

Foundations are an important matter, though they are not usually visible. They are the unseen strength under the surface.

Have you driven by the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge recently? You cannot see much, because all the work is happening underwater on the foundation. It is quite a foundation. 33,000 tons of concrete and steel. 120 feet long. 72 feet wide. 72 feet tall. That’s 7 stories high. By volume, that’s four times as large the building you are sitting in. There are two of them, one for each tower that will support the cables and deck of the new bridge. It took two months apiece just to build the forms for the foundation and then many more months to slowly fill them with steel and concrete.

Why build such large foundations for the new bridge? The answer is simple. We want the bridge to stand. Eventually more than 100,000 vehicles per day will use these twin spans. It would be a catastrophe of horrendous proportions if the foundation did not support the towers, the cables, and the deck. Ask any engineer – he will tell you that the foundation is the most important part of any structure. Mess up the foundation and, no matter how good the building looks, you have doomed it to failure.

Note that the foundation of the original Galloping Gertie that crashed into the Puget Sound was strong. Only the bridge deck fell. Because the foundation was strong, the bridge deck could be re-built. It has been in use for over 60 years and will likely continue for another 60.

What is the foundation for your life? You are more valuable than 800 million dollars of concrete and steel. What are you building your life on?

Your thinking and the assumptions you have about God and yourself form the foundation of your life. Is the foundation made of the right stuff? The Bible says:

No one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:11

Jesus Christ is the only secure foundation for life.

According to Colossians 2:8, you can build your life on the basic principles of the world or on the truth of Jesus Christ. Actually, on Christ Himself. The contrast is between the basic principles of the world and Christ Himself, not just statements about Christ. Why? Because, He is truth.

I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

Jesus doesn’t only say the truth or just teach the truth. He IS the truth. He certainly tells the truth, but He is more. He Himself is the truth. We know the truth by knowing Jesus Christ.

Is this an important distinction? I think so. Just ask any of the middle school students in currently in the Confirmation class. They can tell you that the Christian faith is based on a relationship with Jesus Christ, not on intellectual belief in correct teaching. Christ Himself is the response to the assumptions about God and people that you run into every day.