24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 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 founded on the rock. 26 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. 27 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)
Following my conversion to Christ at age nineteen, I strove to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). I read the Bible, Christian books, and listened to Christian radio. One of the best radio programs I listened to most every day was Through the Bible with Bible teacher Dr. J. Vernon McGee. The theme song for the program then, and now, is the hymn How Firm a Foundation.
I share this brief memory because of today’s text. Jesus was bringing His Sermon on the Mount to a conclusion. He summarized all that He had spoken about being His disciple with the metaphor of a foundation. In other words, on what foundation are you building your life? Is your life built upon obedience to the Word of God or something else?
Jesus said, ““Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” To hear Jesus’ words means to understand and comprehend them. The evidence of understanding and comprehension is obedience. Such a perspective is like a man who builds his house on the solid foundation of a rock.
Understanding and comprehending Jesus’ words, and the corresponding obedience is important because life is tough. In keeping with the building metaphor, Jesus said, ““Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 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 founded on the rock.”
A life built upon obedience to the Word of God, as a child of God, will ultimately be for the individuals well-being. God calls such individuals wise. They apply God’s Word into their daily lives.
Conversely, a life not built upon an understanding and obedience to God’s Word will result in destruction. Such a man is a fool.
26 “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. 27 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.”
“Jesus doesn’t comment on the style or particular qualities of the house in this passage. As a result, He doesn’t comment on exactly what our life looks like. What He emphasizes is what our life is built on. The house of the wise man is built on the rock. The wise man builds on the rock because he hears and does Jesus’ words (v. 24). So, regardless of what our house looks like—who we are and what our lives consist of—we’re called to build on the same foundation. We’re called to be hearers and doers of God’s Word. That doesn’t mean that what our lives look like doesn’t matter, but what Jesus is emphasizing here is the foundation. The foundation is the thing that imparts stability to everything else,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.
“We all build our individual houses, and they are all different. Looks can be deceiving, but what matters is the foundation. Are we hearing what Jesus says but not doing it? Or are we actually doing it? Let us pray that we will be faithful to build our houses—whatever they look like depending on our own particular circumstances, talents, and callings—on Jesus and His Word. It is only through building on this sure foundation that our lives will have any sense of true stability, both now and forever.”
How firm a foundation is the excellent Word of God. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
His Word Today 