You may have witnessed a building or two that collapsed. Sometimes, the destruction claimed not only property but also lives. The tragedy is usually blamed on structural defect, particularly, the foundation.
In Matthew 7: 24-27, Jesus paints the picture of two types of houses; one built on a rock and the other on sand. To a casual observer, the two houses would be identical; both would look outwardly appealing and habitable. But time would tell.
It’s a privilege to hear the words of Jesus. Jesus speaks to our hearts through His written word, His Holy Spirit, His ministers, providence and other life circumstances. While some of these may be subjective, His word, the Bible, is eternal in its principles. Psalm 119: 89
However, hearing isn’t enough. It is in the doing we are wise. Jesus insists that hearing His sayings without doing them is unwise. Jesus always separates people into two categories. And He will still separate all humanity into two on the final day: the hearers and the doers; the goats and the sheep; the foolish virgins and the wise ones.
The words of Jesus are to transform our lives, changing us more and more into His likeness. It’s great to hear or read His word, understand and memorize it, share it with others and defend it. But if we stop there and don’t do it, we are, of all humans, most miserable, because all of that isn’t solid rock yet.
Christ is the Rock. 1 Corinthians 10:4. Our salvation is in Him and Him alone. Church attendance, hearing the word, praying, doing good to others, and observing sacraments, etc. are all wonderful but not the Rock. We have to receive Jesus Christ into our lives as our Saviour and Lord by turning away from sin and inviting Him into our hearts. This is the sure Foundation for all eternity.1 Corinthians 3:11
We can build all our good works and Christian service on the Rock, and then they’ll last. Evil works will certainly attract eternal punishment. Revelation 20:11-15.
The Storm
Jesus makes it clear there’ll be storm; rain and flood. The two houses will face storms on earth through life’s trials, which test our faith and character. The final storm is at the end of life, when humanity stands in judgment. It will be a storm of fire. 1 Corinthians 3:13
The storm tests the foundation of our lives, relationships, business and even ministries. Will your anchor hold in the storms of life?
May the Lord hide us in Him in the midst of all storms.
My hope is built on nothing less by Edward Mote, 1797-1874. For a YouTube version, please go to the bottom of this post.
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My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus Christ, my righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name. |
| On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand. |
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When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace; In every high and stormy gale, My anchor holds within the veil. |
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His oath, His covenant, His blood, Support me in the whelming flood; When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay. |
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When He shall come with trumpet sound, Oh, may I then in Him be found; In Him, my righteousness, alone, Faultless to stand before the throne. |
If you would like more support in your walk with Jesus, please let us know. We are prayerfully working for your eternal and total welfare. We would like to give you biblical support as the Lord enables us.