This leads us to our second factor in establishing a strong life, which is building it with the right methods and materials. All the while, we know that we actually need to replace the foundation and fix those things deep within us that are broken. But that is much more costly, and we wonder if anyone would even notice if we made the sacrifices to improve. Second, Jesus makes you spiritually and eternally alive. He gives you a new nature and, therefore, a new foundation on which to establish your life. You don’t know when they’ll happen, but you can be prepared. Jesus promised you so in His Sermon on the Mount. Do you long to know how to persevere no matter what storm rages against you? Do you want to know how to build your life on the right foundation and with the design and materials that will endure? Do you yearn to be so thoroughly convinced of God’s work in your life that you can stand strong—regardless of the challenges or consequences?

So Paul’s erroneous beliefs (and the acceptance of his fellow Pharisees) were actually weakening him, undermining his life and his relationship with the Lord. He missed the very Messiah God’s Word was pointing to (John 5:39)! We will talk about this in detail in the next chapter. To understand this, we can take a lesson from architecture, since we know what it takes to raise a strong building. In fact, it is a useful exercise to look at the edifices around us and throughout the world and consider what causes some structures to endure throughout the centuries of bad weather and harsh elements and others to topple within years of their construction. Naturally, we cannot go into a detailed examination of this topic. But what are the basic reasons some buildings can withstand the poundings of the harshest elements and others fail at the onset of bad weather?What we choose to believe intrinsically determines whether or not we are able to stand strong in this life—during the easy times, and during the most difficult. Standing Strong explores the Bible to identify the central issues of life where conviction is imperative, If you’ve just received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you’ve made the very best decision you will ever make. There is absolutely nothing more important than having a personal relationship with God. This is the firm foundation that the rest of your life will be built on. You simply cannot have a strong life without Him. Thankfully, now you are on the path to having the resilient and meaningful life you long for. And, of course, from a verse many of us can quote, we know that He offers us an unshakable relationship with Himself: “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Do not miss this. Paul had to rethink everything he thought was true about what gave his life strength and value, not just some of what he believed. Notice that he said, “I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage.” So how do you do this? How do you make a relationship with Christ your foundation? It is as simple as talking to Him. You can tell Him in your own words or use this simple prayer: Some people, when renovating a house, upgrade only the cosmetic aspects—new hedges, nicer tiling, perhaps some enhanced lighting. They may also try to hide the defects with paint or cleverly positioned furniture and artwork. Because the truth of the matter is that we are living in an age when taking Scripture seriously is becoming rarer and rarer. Some Christian leaders distance themselves from the Bible and turn to empty ideas and theories, sanctioning behavior that the Word of God condemns. Trust me, in the eight decades I have been alive, I have seen more church-building fads and philosophies come and go than I can count. Only one source has stood the test of time, and that is the Word of God. Psalm 90:2 reminds us that God existed before the dawn of time and will continue to remain when time itself is no more: “Before the mountains were born or You gave birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.”Naturally, anyone who has ever built any kind of structure knows that it’s not just what you build on that counts, but also how you build and what you build with. For example, in the last few decades there have been many advancements in hurricane- and earthquake-proofing houses. The right building materials used with the appropriate techniques can make a tremendous difference in the strength of a structure. We’ve all heard the stories and seen the photos on the news about the one house in a neighborhood that stands because of wise construction, while the rest are destroyed by storm-driven winds. The picture is striking. Saul thought he was living a strong life for God because of his legalistic adherence to the Law, which is the tool—or goad—that the Lord uses to direct us in how to walk with Him. But Paul was really fighting against the goad—against Scripture—because Scripture’s true purpose has always been to lead humanity to the salvation Jesus offers (Rom. 7:7–25). So this is the very first step to having a strong life and an unshakable foundation—having a relationship with God, which can come only through the death of Jesus on the cross. Friend, if you have never accepted Jesus as your Savior and Lord—trusting in Him alone for your salvation—then you’re not building on the right foundation.

Sadly, no matter how attractive a house is, if the foundation isn’t solid, it will fall. This is one of the most important principles any of us will ever learn: Our life must be built on the right foundation.So what goes into the construction of a strong life? It’s not just having a healthy body—that’s useful, but there is much more to it than that. Likewise, it is more than having a good job, plenty of money, or prestigious social standing in your community. How can you experience a strong, fruitful life? What does it take?