Christian life is very much similar to an edifice made by humans. The heavenly architect who has a blue print for every human being designs it. The humans are also given the responsibility of building their lives according to the pattern given to us in the scriptures. It is absolutely necessary for every Christian to ensure that his life is being built on the right foundation.

What constitutes a good foundation for Christian life? This article seeks to find a biblical answer to this question. It seems to me that the following components are necessary for a good and solid foundation for Christian life.

The essence of Christianity is the experience of the heart by which one knows that he/she has a genuine relationship with the Savior. Many people take refuge in cheap substitutes like rituals, ‘churchianity,’ deeds of charity and so on, instead of possessing a spiritual intimacy with the Lord. As some one said: "the heart of religion is the religion of the heart". Head knowledge should filter down to the heart where one can experience a transformation of his emotions and will. Only then that individual can say: "I am a new creation in the Lord" (2 Cor. 5:17).

It is a fact that many Christians live on the intellectual plane of religion. Like Nicodemus, the leader of the Pharisees and teacher of the law (John 3: 1f) they may know certain propositions of the Christian faith, but do not have the experience of being "born" into God’s kingdom. That experience can be gained only through the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit and the creative power of the word of God. Without this internal experience Christianity is just formalism. Elton Trueblood says: "The ultimate verification of our religion consists of the changed lives to which it can point and for which it is responsible". True Christian life begins with this heartwarming and life transforming experience.

Regeneration marks the beginning of the Christian life. Like the new born infant who needs to grow and develop physically, mentally, socially and in several other areas, the one who has become a new creation in Christ has to grow in a healthy environment which is conducive to growth and maturity. The absence of a proper environment will result in stunted growth.

Growth cannot take place without proper nurture. The word nurture is a comprehensive term that includes nourishment, training, education and guidance and supervision by responsible adults. Thankfully, God has made ample provision for the new believers to be nurtured well. But the responsibility is theirs to avail of what God has provided. Let us see what are the major factors in spiritual nurture.

God’s word contains the essential ingredients for nourishment. It is the "daily manna" through which a believer can sustain himself. It is the unadulterated milk that provides all the necessary minerals and vitamins for the growing infant (1Pet.2:2). It is the "sword of the spirit" with which the believer can fight Satan, our adversary (Eph.6: 17). Therefore it is mandatory that Christians should use every opportunity to read, study and reflect on God’s word. (Ps. 1:2; 2Tim. 2: 15; Acts 17: 11). This will establish them in God’s word. Those who aspire to live a strong and consistent Christian life must be influenced and controlled by the word of God constantly. When God’s word becomes the guiding principle of a Christian’s life, he/she is standing on a foundation that cannot be shaken by adverse circumstances.

Prayer provides the life breath that sustains the believer. Living in a world polluted by all kinds of evil, vices and immorality, it is necessary for the Christians to breathe in the fresh air that comes from above. Prayer is the life saving oxygen that God has provided for His children. If they avail of that celestial air, they can ward off all the ill effects of the polluted atmosphere. The reference is not to the rituals of prayer-, which is often mechanical-, but to the soul cry of the believer who is broken before God and seeks to commune with the heavenly father in sincerity and truth. This kind of prayer must become the life style of every Christian if he/she seeks to grow in the Lord. (Ps. 51: 17; Matt. 6: 7; 1 Thes. 5: 17). When habitual and mechanical prayers rise to the level of " praying in the Holy Spirit " (Jude 20) Christians can be certain that they are on the path to spiritual maturity.

Christians are not called for a solitary life but a life of solidarity with their fellow saints. Solitary Christians may survive spiritually, but Christians who interact with other Christians and share in the fellowship of the body of Christ will grow, flourish and posses the " abundant life " that Jesus came to bestow on us. The secret of the Apostolic Church’s growth was that they had uninterrupted fellowship among themselves in the midst of a hostile world (Acts 2: 44, 46; 4: 32).

A Christian who is hesitant to join the fellowship of an established church may use the familiar excuse: " They are all hypocrites. Therefore, I don’t want to join them. I can serve God alone ". It is true that no believer will ever find a " perfect church" this side of heaven, but by our association, influence and partnering with a local body of believers we can grow spiritually and help others to grow as well. That will also contribute to the advancement of God’s kingdom in our respective areas.

All of these above factors are essential for spiritual nurture.

The acid test of a good and authentic Christianity is demonstrating our internal experience through practical Christianity. Convictions must be translated into a life style that can be observed by the outside world. This would involve our oral confession or testimony of our faith (Rom. 10: 9) and our Christian walk. Correct doctrine (orthodoxy) is important. Correct living (orthopraxy) is equally important. When the two go hand in hand, Christians can make positive impressions on the outsiders and influence them to follow in the steps of our Saviour.

Conversation and walk are integral parts of mature Christianity. It is interesting to observe that the King James Version of 1611 uses the word conversation to include the talk and the walk (conduct) of the Christians. The newer versions like NIV render the word conversation as walk or life.

(cf. Heb. 13:5; James 3:13; 1 Pet.2:12). The point is: There should be perfect harmony between what we project on the screens of our public life and what we really are in our private life . It is often said of the movie stars and sports icons that their " reel life " and their real life do not match. The recent revelations about Tiger Woods, the golf champion illustrate this fact. Genuine Christianity calls for the narrowing of the gap between profession and practice. The followers of Christ should be eager to set themselves as role models to others. The words of the Apostle Paul to Timothy are relevant in this context: " Don’t let any one look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity (1 Tim. 4: 12). This is Christianity in action and it is more powerful and effective than a thousand sermons.

Christian life founded upon these basic principles - a genuine Christian experience, spiritual nurture and practical Christianity – are bound to withstand all storms and tremors. That brand of Christianity is the need of the hour, because only through this we can help those who are groping in darkness to come to grips with the reality of a life in Christ.