Why Christians Need a Firm Foundation in Faith
Lessons from Thomas Watson's first sermon from the Body of Divinity
If indeed you continue in the faith firmly grounded and steadfast. (Col 1:23)
Christians need to be well-versed in the core truths of their religion. First, Christians are responsible for being steady and firm in what we believe. Second, the best way to achieve that stability is to have a strong foundation in the essentials of faith.
Christians Must Be Firm in Their Beliefs
The Bible emphasizes this duty. In 1 Peter 5:10, the apostle prays that God would “strengthen, confirm, and ground” believers. Jude 13 warns about “wandering stars,” people who drift from one belief to another. These folks, unstable like water (Gen. 49:4), get tossed around by every new idea or trend. They’re not solid pillars in God’s temple but fragile reeds bending with the wind.
The Apostle Paul calls out “damnable heresies” in 2 Peter 2:1, showing that straying from the truth isn’t just a small misstep. It’s as serious as any moral failure. People who can’t settle on what they believe often lack discernment; they bounce between opinions like feathers in the breeze. Ephesians 4:14 compares them to children, who are easily swayed and never stick with anything for long. So, how do we stay steady, especially in chaotic times? Let’s explore why being settled matters.
- The Purpose of Preaching: The whole point of sharing God’s Word—through pastors, teachers, and evangelists (Eph. 4:11-13)—is to ground us in faith. Preaching isn’t just about inspiring us; it’s about nailing down the truth so we stick with Christ. If we don’t settle, we’re missing the whole reason God gave us this guidance.
- A Mark of Excellence and Honor: Being firm in faith makes us stand out. A grounded Christian becomes zealous for truth and close to God. Proverbs 16:31 says an old, faithful believer is a beautiful sight, a crown of glory.
- Strength to Endure: You won’t hold up under pressure if you're not settled. Doubters rarely become martyrs. When persecution hits, they waver. Apostates weigh God against Satan and pick the easier master, shaming Christ (Hebrews 6:6).
- Avoiding God’s Anger: Waffling in faith stirs up trouble with God. Backsliding makes the gospel look bad, and Psalm 78:57-59 shows God doesn’t take that lightly. He was furious with Israel when they turned away.
- Growth Requires Roots: You can’t grow in faith if you’re always shifting. Ephesians 4:15 calls us to “grow up in all aspects into [Christ],” but a plant yanked up and replanted over and over never thrives. Neither will we without a steady base.
- Dangers Are Everywhere: False teachers and persecutors are out there trying to knock us off course. 1 John 2:26 warns of seducers, smooth talkers who twist truth with clever words, fake piety, or promises of freedom that lead to chaos. Persecution drags even bright stars down (Rev. 12:3–4). We need to be anchored to stand firm.
A Strong Foundation Is the Key to Stability
Colossians 1:23 ties being “grounded” to being “steadfast.” Think of a building: without a solid foundation, it collapses. Christians need to know the fundamentals of their faith like a ship needs an anchor in a storm. Here’s why this matters and how it works.
Why We Need the Basics
- Worshipping Right: Romans 12:1 calls us to offer God “rational service.” Our worship is sloppy and uninformed if we don’t understand faith’s foundations.
- Enriching Our Minds: Knowing the essentials unlocks the mysteries of Scripture. It’s a light guiding us through Christianity’s twists and turns, making tough passages clearer.
- Defending the Truth: A solid grasp of the basics arms us against attacks on our faith.
- Growing in Grace: These truths are the seed of faith (Ps. 9:10) and the root of love (Eph. 3:17), shaping us into mature believers.
Grounding Leads to Stability
A tree with deep roots doesn’t topple in a storm. Likewise, Christians rooted in core doctrines can weather errors and hardships. Without that inner foundation, we’re like a propped-up corpse—unable to stand when shaken.
Why This Matters Today
So many people flip-flop between beliefs because they never learned the basics. 2 Peter 3:16 links being “untaught” with being “unstable.” Without the stability of knowledge, we’re weak and wobbly. That’s why teaching the faith systematically is so crucial. It’s not new; the early church did it, and ancient leaders like Augustine championed it. Preaching alone isn’t enough. It’s like building without a foundation. A catechism that summarizes all these fundamentals lays the groundwork, and history shows it works wonders for strengthening believers.
