Saturday, June 27, 2015
Matthew 7:24-27 Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.
THE FOUNDATION IS THE DIFFERENCE
Jesus compares wisdom and foolishness in the building of two homes. When you think of this brief parable, don't think of a mansion and a shack -- like the story of the "Three Little Pigs" in which a house's material makes the difference between standing and falling. The house that collapsed in the storm did not do so because it was built of straw, and the other did not stay up because it was built of bricks. In fact, why not think of these two houses as identical? That helps drive the point home. Even think of them as side by side. The difference is the foundation. One is sand and one is stone. That was the difference between falling down and standing firm.
So also there will be those who have the appearance of piety and righteousness, but if their faith is only head knowledge and not genuine faith they will not last the storm. The one who relies on Christ exclusively and puts his trust in Him has the house that will not fall. Jesus is the only one who can cause such a thing.
You and your faith will be beaten by rain, floods and wind. We're not told specifically what these are, but you will face specific difficulties that no one else does. You will be pelted with temptations custom crafted by Satan. You will be flooded by despair. You feel gale force winds of doubt and adversity. What holds you up is not your own strength, nothing that you have built, but what you are built on.
Genuine faith relies on Jesus who withstood every temptation for you, who gives you credit for His work and gives you hope instead of despair, who gives you certainty of your salvation because He's responsible for it. This reliance is not only good for time. It lasts through all eternity.
