“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”
Luke 6:46 - 49
Bad weather affects us all.
Rain, flood, and winds are sure to come. Jesus’ disciples will go through the same storms as everyone else and even worse. They will face rejection, persecution, and some will die as martyrs. The ultimate test for everyone is the Final Judgment. On that Day, many will be horrified to see their life work swept away by the wave.
The Parable of the Two Houses makes a contrast between wise and foolish builders. Presumably, the two houses are the same. The only difference is the foundation. Wise disciples build on rock. Fair-weather Christians build on sand.
How to build on rock? Jesus answers specifically. Hear these words of Mine and act on them (Matthew 7:24). This saying concludes the Sermon on the Mount. Building on rock, therefore, means living the Sermon on the Mount. Turn the other cheek, go the second mile, and care for the poor. Love
your enemies, pray for your persecutors, and forgive your debtors. Be salt and light, be reconciled, and do to others as you would have them do to you. And so on. Those who hear, believe, and obey these words of Jesus will survive all the storms of life, including death. Their house will stand in the Final Judgment.
On the other hand, we can confess Christ, attend church, and even study theology. We can prophesy, work miracles, and cast out demons. Great! Do more. But according to this parable, those who hear the words of Jesus and do not act on them are building on sand (Matthew 7:26). Their house will not
withstand the storms of life, death, and the Final Judgment.
So then, are we saved by works? No. We are saved for works (Ephesians 2:8-10). The faith that saves us also helps us to obey Jesus from a heart of love. You may not build a marble temple or a majestic skyscraper. Yours may be a simple dwelling. What matters most is the foundation. Are you building on
rock or sand?
SEEK THE KINGDOM
What kind of Church are we? How will future generations remember us? Are we modelling Kingdom norms? Are we building on the right foundation? That’s the most important thing, the only way to stand the test of time and stand before the Son of Man in the Final Judgment (Luke 21:36). Today, read through the entire Sermon On the Mount in Matthew 5, 6 and 7. Reflect on your life. Below are a few compass points to help you journal your responses. Pause and think on each one. How do you measure up? In what ways are you living out the values of the Kingdom? Commit to hear and obey Jesus’ Kingdom Manifesto.
■ Love God first and foremost, trusting Him for your future.
■ Turn the other cheek, giving up your right to be right, to be understood.
■ Go the second mile, volunteering to do more without waiting to be asked.
■ Care for the poor and needy, showing compassion with no strings attached.
■ Love your enemies, lavishing mercy on those who wish you ill.
■ Pray for your persecutors, blessing them in the name of Jesus.
■ Forgive your offenders, keeping no record of wrongs.
■ Mend shattered relationships, no matter who’s right or wrong.
■ Be salt and light, dare to be different, dare to be the change you want to see.
■ Do to others as you would have them do to you.
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