the firm foundation of Jesus Christ

“Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who names the name of God is to abstain from wickedness. (unrighteousness)” (2 Timothy 2:19)

This statement by Paul about the firm foundation of God that stands is uttered in the context of Paul warning the church about two men, Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have gone astray from the truth and are now upsetting the faith of some. Now we know that the firm foundation of all true faith is the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Rock and upon no other foundation is the church to be built. (1 Cor 3:11) I would suggest therefore that if anyone goes astray from the teachings of Jesus then quite clearly they are no longer living their lives built upon the firm foundation of Jesus Christ. The very next comment that Paul makes is about, ‘The Lord knowing those who are His.’ Who is it that the Lord says He knows? The Lord knows those who are founded on Him. If you say that you have a relationship with the Lord then the weight of the witness is not you saying, ‘I know the Lord’ but it is the Lord saying, ‘I know you.’ And it will become very evident whether or not we are known by the Lord, because our life will witness the fruit of one who is established on the Rock. The final statement that Paul makes in this verse that is a real key to knowing whether we are founded on Christ is that we will turn from all wickedness. This word wickedness, which is also translated iniquity, means ‘unrighteousness’. Unrighteousness is all our self-righteousness, it’s what we deem to be right or wrong in our own eyes. It is not the righteousness of Jesus Christ which, like Christ, comes from being obedient to the Father’s word and will for our lives. Note there is no righteousness that can satisfy God apart from joining Christ’s obedience. That we are being obedient to Christ and His word to our lives is the sure evidence of His seal that we are known by Him as ones who build on the foundation of Jesus Christ. Do we have this seal or inscription upon our lives?