This image portrays two buildings. The one on the right represents much of present-day Christianity. The one on the left represents the kind of Christianity we believe Christ intended and that we aspire to see.
The primary difference between these two buildings is not their appearance, but their foundation.
The strength of a building does not lie in its height or beauty but in its foundation. In the same way, the strength of a religion does not ultimately lie in its rituals, institutions, or organisational structure, but in the foundation on which it is built.
This image invites every Christian to reflect on one important question:
What should be the true foundation of Christianity?
The Teachings of Jesus and Beliefs About Jesus
Christianity contains two distinct elements.
The first is the teachings of Jesus—His call to love God, love our neighbour, love even our enemies, forgive others, live humbly, care for the poor, seek justice, and treat others as we would want them to treat us. These are practical teachings for everyday life.
The second is beliefs about Jesus—His virgin birth, His divinity, His death on the cross, His resurrection, His second coming, and other doctrinal affirmations concerning His person and work.
Both are important parts of the Christian faith. However, they do not necessarily occupy the same place.
The Message of the Image
In the building on the right, beliefs about Jesus form the foundation, while the teachings of Jesus appear only as decorative features at the top.
The building on the left reverses this order. The teachings of Jesus form the foundation, while beliefs about Jesus serve as the ornaments that crown the building.
Here, the word ornament does not mean "unimportant." Just as ornaments enhance the beauty and dignity of a building, beliefs about Jesus enrich and give depth to the Christian faith. However, ornaments do not hold a building together—its foundation does.
Likewise, it is the teachings of Jesus that should sustain and support the life of the Church.
Why Does This Matter?
History shows that Christianity has become divided into many churches and denominations. In many cases, these divisions have arisen from differing interpretations of doctrines about Jesus.
By contrast, when we look at the ethical teachings of Jesus, the picture is quite different.
Virtually every Christian agrees that we should love, forgive, live humbly, care for the poor, pursue justice, and walk in truth.
For this reason, the teachings of Jesus have the potential to serve as a common foundation for the whole Church.
What Did Jesus Emphasise?
When we read the Gospels, we find that Jesus spent most of His ministry teaching people how to live.
In the Sermon on the Mount, He described the character of life in God's Kingdom.
Through His parables, He revealed the values of that Kingdom.
By washing His disciples' feet, He demonstrated humility through action.
He commanded His followers to love their enemies.
He taught them to forgive without limit.
He called them to do the will of the Father rather than merely profess faith with their lips.
At the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave a striking illustration:
"Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock." (Matthew 7:24)
Here, Jesus Himself identifies obedience to His teachings as the solid foundation upon which life should be built.
A Call to Self-Examination
This image is not intended to condemn any particular church or denomination.
Rather, it invites every Christian to examine his or her own life.
What is the foundation of my faith?
Is it primarily my knowledge about Jesus?
Or is it a life shaped by the teachings of Jesus?
Do I spend more time talking about Christ?
Or am I striving to live as Christ taught?
These are questions that every believer should honestly ask.
Conclusion
The message of this image is simple.
Beliefs about Jesus are precious and essential. However, they should never replace the teachings of Jesus as the foundation of Christian life.
The Church stands firm when it is built upon the teachings of Jesus. Beliefs about Jesus enrich, beautify, and strengthen that faith, but they should rest upon—not replace—the foundation of His teachings.
When the foundation is sound, the building stands firm.
If the Church is grounded in the teachings of Jesus, it can stand united, remain resilient, and shine as a light to the world.
"Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock." (Matthew 7:24)
This verse is the very heart of this image.
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