Build your life on the rock by hearing and practicing God’s word
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been built on the rock.
And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” – Matthew 7:24-27 (ESV)
We frequently visit our local library because it has a wealth of free resources. One of the books we borrowed a few months ago was The Three Little Pigs. As I was reading, I had the thought (no doubt the Holy Spirit downloaded it to my mind) to use this book my daughter enjoyed to help her understand the importance of building her life on the firm foundation of Christ. Just like Jesus used the imagery of building a house to illustrate the same point in Matthew 7:24-27.
In the present day and age, there is access to more information than ever before. This includes devotionals, Bible studies, sermons, books, etc. These are all wonderful resources designed to facilitate our growth in the knowledge of God.
However, I have often wondered how is it that with so much Bible knowledge being consumed that all too often the fruit produced by those professing to know Christ is bad fruit or when trials come, we see people so easily turn from the faith?
Based on Matthew 7:24-27, I submit that one reason is because we have confused being in proximity to God and hearing God’s word with doing and acting upon it. Focusing specifically on verse 24, it is hearing AND doing God’s word that makes you a wise man with your life built on the solid rock. Going to church, reading devotionals, streaming sermons, and even attending seminary, although important and beneficial, are only half of the equation. We must engage in the hard work of applying the word in our everyday lives.
Doing this work does not make us exempt from hardships, difficulties, and the storms of life. We will all experience those regardless of whether or not we choose to do God’s word. Notice that “…the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house…” for the wise man and the foolish man. But, only the wise man’s house (i.e. his life) was still standing when it was all said and done. Which man will you be?