p. 4 | THE FOUNDATION OF GOD by J. E. Evans

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 10, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 10.

“THE FOUNDATION OF GOD.”

By J. E. Evans

“NEVERTHELESS the foundation of God standeth sure.” 2 Tim. 2:19. This language is a comfort to those who realize the instable character of the things of this present world. We live in an age of distrust—an age when men distrust each other and their God, and are placing confidence more and more in the perishable things of earth. This feeling prevails to such an extent that it is manifest to every careful observer that men’s hearts are failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth. What a deception! What a mistake, that man should lose sight of his Creator, and put his trust in that which, like himself, was created! By the people of the world this is called wisdom; but the Lord, and every one who yields to the conviction of an enlightened conscience, knows that such a course is the height of folly.

This holds good in the matter of the education of the present time. God, the source of all true knowledge, is ignored, and men and women, like children playing with the mechanic’s tools, seem not to know the purpose for which the things they study were made, and yet they call their work science. We can not see very much science in the work of a child who does not know the proper use of tools; but the principles which underlie the popular education of our time, make that system such as to be compared with child’s play. Education of this character is what causes the unsettled state of affairs in the world to-day, socially, politically, and religiously—because man tries to get along without the Author of all things, and consequently the whole human structure is like a poorly built edifice resting upon an insecure foundation.

The only secure foundation there is for man, the only ground for confidence, yea, the only foundation there is for anything, is the eternal “Word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.” 1 Peter 1:23. That Word made and upholds all things (Heb. 1:1–3), and is the foundation of all things created. It follows, therefore, that the existence and well-being of even those who forget God, depend entirely upon that Word. The Word of God being the foundation of everything created, it must be that those who deny their dependence upon that Word claim the power of self-existence, and thus assume to put themselves in the place of God. All this is true. It is only man’s part of the very work Satan undertook to do when he conceived the plan to dethrone God and take His place. He failed, and all who follow him in working out the same principles, must likewise fail. Then the only things that shall remain are those which are found to be in harmony with, and resting upon, the Word of God.

“But,” says the skeptic, “how do I know that Word to be true?” This expression of doubt is no excuse; for if he will turn to the book of nature, and open his eyes, he will there read God in every plant, leaf, and flower. If he will submit to the Power which produced those things, he will be above all questionings of unbelief. God has given sufficient evidence of His existence, and the power of His love, and all who will, shall know Him, to the joy and rejoicing of their hearts. The Bible, I may say, is an appendix. It utters the same voice as that spoken to us through the works of God, and throws great light upon the present condition of this world, which condition is contrary to the original design and purpose of the Creator.

The Word of God thus considered reveals His wisdom and beneficence. But even with this infallible guide man was fast losing sight of the true character of his Creator, and human wisdom and ways were rapidly taking the place of the divine. To help mankind where and when he most needed help, and “when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son.” Gal. 4:4. In other words, “When we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Rom. 5:6. This Christ is the living Word of God. John 1:1–3. God was in that Word “reconciling the world unto Himself.” 2 Cor. 5:19. That “Word was made flesh, . . . and we beheld His glory.” John 1:14. Thus God was “manifest in the flesh” (1 Tim. 3:16), that man might have the Word of God, which is His character, lived out before him in the life of a man—“the Man Christ Jesus”—and thereby the Saviour became the source of confidence, “a sure foundation.” They also in whose lives that Word again becomes flesh are made “like Him,” and become a source of confidence to unbelievers. Being made like Christ, we shall endure with Him. This is why the righteous are said to be “an everlasting foundation.” Prov. 10:25.

Since through the work of Christ the victory over sin has been gained, and a live hope kindled in the hearts of His children, He has become the foundation of all that are redeemed, and of all that have been created, in that the result of His mission to earth has placed all the created intelligences beyond the possibility of falling. Therefore we read, “Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor. 3:11. The church of Christ is called the building of God, and its members are “lively stones,” built upon “a living stone,” which is Christ, “the chief Corner-stone.” Notice that the entire building is of one nature. See 1 Peter 2:4, 5; Eph.

2:19–22; Isa. 28:16. “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are His. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” “He that believeth shall not make haste.”

J. E. EVANS.

New Orleans, La.