This document discusses the importance of laying the right foundation in Christ for the Christian journey. It notes that faith in Jesus Christ is the foundation, while works build upon that foundation. Two key concepts are the gift of righteousness, which is received through faith in Christ's sacrifice, and the fruits of righteousness, which develop over time through spiritual growth. Understanding the distinction between these foundations of faith and fruits of works is important for spiritual maturity and fruitfulness in the Christian life.

1. LAYING THE RIGHT FOUNDATION IN CHRIST
AsChristians,we are soldiersonaunique journey,the nature of whichourLorddescribedinHismandate
to us in Mathew28:19 and backedus withthe requiredauthorityinLuke 10:19. Our journeyisunique in
the sense that ithas a beginning(***i.e.whenwe acceptGod’sgiftof salvationbybeingbornagain) but
no end (eternity).As Christians, we are soldiersof the Lord’s army and are involved in spiritual warfare
(Ephesians6:12) whetherwe realise thisor not. It is importanttherefore thatwe are well preparedand
equipped for our journey by laying and building on the rightfoundation. 1st Corinthians 3:11-13 tells us
forno otherfoundationcananyone laythanthatwhichislaid,whichisJesusChrist.Now if anyone builds
on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become
manifest; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealedby fire; and the fire will test each one’s
work,of whatsortitis.Twoimportantconceptsare thrownouthere.The foundationwhichisJesusChrist
is “Faith” based (having faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross) while the building on that
foundation is “works” based. These are fundamental elements of the Christian journey that should be
properlyunderstood.ThisisfurtherbuttressedinJames2:14-26 where we are made to understandthat
faith without works is dead.
Bringingthisdowntotheconceptof righteousnesswhichisakeyfoundationuponwhichourfaith isbased
we have the giftof righteousness(Romans5:17 – For if by one man’soffense deathreignedthroughthe
one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousnesswill reign in life
through the One, Jesus Christ.) and the fruits of righteousness (Philippians 1:11 – being filled with the
fruitsof righteousnesswhichare byJesusChristtothe gloryand praise of God.) The giftof righteousness
is faith based and is imputed to us as soon as we accept God’s free gift of salvation while the fruit(s) of
righteousnessisworksbasedandinvolvesaprocessovertime.Tothe extentthatwe grow andmature in
Christ we will become more fruitful (John 15:5 – I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in
Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing). To help us understand these
concepts better please find below two links, one addressing the gift of righteousness and the other the
fruitsof righteousness.Itis my prayerthat our helperandteacher (the HolySpirit) will reveal the truths
of God’s word in our heart. Amen.
1. https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Topical.show/RTD/cgg/ID/1257/Fruit-of-
Righteousness.htm
2. http://www.awmi.net/reading/teaching-articles/whose_righteousness/
3. ***If you are yet to accept God’s gift of salvation and would like to know more about this please
visit this link http://www.slideshare.net/ayodeleodugbemi/the-gospel2-nov-2015-updated