Before we can discover how these three characteristics of the Christian are to become a part of our lives, it is important to understand from whence they come. As we’ve discovered, these are also characteristics of God who exhibits them in perfection. To know how to practice them is to look to God’s perfect example, but to learn how to grow them into our character is another problem entirely.

To understand the impact these principles make we must understand the basics of early architecture. In ancient times, before any building was constructed the foundation was measured and leveled. Once completed, a cornerstone would be set in place. This is of utmost importance, as all other stones will be set in reference to this cornerstone, thereby determining the position of the entire structure. In pagan practices, particularly in Greece and Roman traditions, a rooster, lamb or ram (and occasionally a human) would be sacrificed upon the stone and then buried beneath it (Frazer, The Golden Bough, p. 106-107, ©2006). The object of the sacrifice was supposed to be given greater strength in return.

This is why Paul and the Psalmist (in Ephesians 2.20 and Psalm 118.22 respectively) compare Jesus to the cornerstone of our life. We start with Jesus, whose blood and sacrifice provide greater strength to his people (the church) and everything else extends from him. There are many religions in the world and they all have their own cornerstones, but unless the foundation starts with Jesus it is unstable, and the life erected upon it will be also. For this reason we have first studied these characteristics as they are found in God – in Jesus, our Messiah.

How does Jesus and these three parts of his character become the foundation stones of our lives? How can such radical change occur, considering we largely accept our ancestors, our parents, or even ourselves to be the foundation of our existence?

The answer is experience.

In Greek philosophy knowledge was viewed as the key element of change. What a man believed he would act upon, and what he acted upon brought about a series of experiences that would either confirm or deny his belief. Their view and practice of life was holistic, that is that knowledge lead to belief, and belief to action. Today the western mind has learned to compartmentalize knowledge, belief and action so that frequently we do not make decisions based on what we know or believe. As a result we are often victims of our own making.

For instance, we know that Jesus is not meant to be a Sunday friend only. Yet at work we focus on our job and not on our savior. This is compartmentalizing our faith from our work. For real change to occur that wall between faith and work, faith and family, faith and friendship, faith and our struggles must be torn down. This is the lesson of Hebrews 11. The author tells the stories of several people who lived their faith. By acting as God desires we experience both new relationships and new hardships. By responding to these situations in faith we experience God. By experiencing God we build a connection with him, and we are forever changed.

When in the military a friend was challenged by a secular philosophy major. My friend, who was 6-years old in the Lord at the time, could not answer or overcome the intellectual challenges presented. While being able to defend the faith through debate is preferred, my friend found the one argument this man could not overcome. “I don’t know how to debate your arguments,” said my friend honestly, “But I do know Jesus. You can question and debate all you like, but because I know Jesus I know I’m right." In the six years leading up to this encounter my friend had experienced the realities of God and faith, and that’s something no argument can diminish. He was, and is to this day, a changed man because he has built connections with God.

If you have trusted Jesus with both this life and the one to come, act like it. By acting on your faith in all of life’s challenges you will experience the strength of the Holy Spirit and live a life with Jesus who, like the cornerstone he is, will direct the rest of your life. Read Hebrews 11, read any passage of the Bible really, and you will see that God respects, dwells with and rescues those who call on his name first in everything they do.