Firm Foundation
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Matthew 7:24-27
It is one thing to hear God’s Word; it is quite another to put it into practice and to respond in faithful obedience. Some people hear God’s Word, but because they do not build upon a firm foundation their discipleship is easily disrupted and they fall.
Jesus uses, as an illustration, the story of two houses – one built upon the rock and the other upon the sand. Outwardly, they appear to be similar, but only one is really secure. The house built upon the sand rests upon a dry river bed. When the rains come and the waters rise it quickly succumbs. The house on the rock remains standing,[1] but the house on the sand is destroyed. In this illustration, Jesus presents us with one, final choice. Will we build our lives upon the firm foundation of obedience to God’s will, as revealed in Christ, or will we seek some other basis? Hearing the Word is not enough; we must also respond.
It can be very difficult to distinguish between those who have built on the bedrock of Christ, and those who have not. Both may exhibit the same characteristics – a commitment to worship and prayer, an interest in authentic discipleship, and a heart for mission – but for some people the interest does not go deep enough. It may be a momentary thing, an interest that does not last. It may melt away as one’s life circumstances change. The problem for such people is that when the storms of life come, as they undoubtedly will, faith fails them. They think that they have a living relationship with God through His Son, but in reality they do not. They have the appearance of a form of godliness but not the power.[2] They do not have a firm foundation. And as the rain falls, their house is swept away.
How much better, says Jesus, to choose to build on the rock that will not move. How much more satisfying, for now and for eternity, to know that you stand secure in Him, and that come hell or high water you will not be moved. A secure faith requires that we should have more than a passing interest in Jesus. We should not only hear the Word of God, we should be prepared to act upon it. Have you? What is the foundation of your life?
Lord Jesus,
I have heard Your claim upon my life.
I know what it means to believe and to belong,
but unless I give my whole heart to You,
unless I live out my faith in obedience to Your will,
then I may have knowledge in my head, but You are not in my heart.
Here and now, Lord, in response to Your Word, I give You my own –
that until I draw my final breath,
I shall be Yours.
Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment