Faith Foundation

Faith Foundation

God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16 (NIV)

What is the basis for all that we believe as followers of Christ? We can sum it up in three words: God so loved.

What is the basis for all that Amish followers of Christ believe? The same three words. One bishop explains, “When seekers from the outside come to us wanting to be Amish, they are often attracted for the wrong reasons. They could have fallen in love with one of our Youngie. Or they may have fallen in love with what they think is a simpler way of life. What they fail to recognize is that our faith in Christ is at the center. Horses, buggies, and kerosene lanterns will quickly grow stale without the faith foundation.”

“God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son.” This is the faith foundation on which everything else we believe is set. We have great hope, but even hope needs a firm footing. The acceptance of God’s gift will anchor us, enabling us to hold strong through every storm, every flood of trouble. It’s this simple truth that can transform the darkest soul and fill it with light.

We may want a different lifestyle, a simpler way of life. But even if we seek that and find it, we will never be truly satisfied. If we try to become Amish—or anything else for that matter—the results of our attempts will last only as far as our determination. But when we turn our lives over to Jesus Christ, it’s His gift—not our reliability—that we can count on!

If people know only one Bible verse, John 3:16 is usually the one, and that’s okay. It’s the verse on which a foundation of faith is built. If they start there, they start off right!

Dear heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me that in the long run, sometimes what is simplest matters the most. May You whisper the truth of all today’s verse means over and over in my heart today!