Matthew 7:24-29
“All who listen to my instructions
and follow them are wise, like a man who builds his house on solid rock.
Though the rain comes in torrents, and the floods rise and the storm
winds beat against his house, it won’t collapse, for it is built on
rock.
“But those who hear my instructions and ignore them are
foolish, like a man who builds his house on sand. For when the rains and
floods come, and storm winds beat against his house, it will fall with a
mighty crash.” The crowds were amazed at Jesus’ sermons, for he taught
as one who had great authority, and not as their Jewish leaders.
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
We have a large square
ottoman in our living room that has been the “go-to-table” for the
children these last seven years. It has been used as a track for
cars…the base for creations from a variety of media, including Legos®,
“bristle” blocks, wooden blocks, puzzles, and more…and just a great
place to chill out for a few minutes and watch TV. The ottoman is
big…and sturdy. But it is also upholstered and tufted. So the top is
flexible and not the firmest foundation for jigsaw puzzles or some block
creations. So there are lots of “collapses”…both from the creations
AND the children who design them!
We have tried to teach the
children to either 1) build certain things that need a solid base on the
floor; or 2) put something sturdy, like a big book, on the ottoman
first…and build their masterpiece on top of that. Experience is a great
teacher…and the children are learning that the foundation matters!
It
is one thing to tell our children that the blocks will stand up better
on a solid surface…that the puzzle pieces will hold together better on
the floor than a cushioned piece of furniture. But when they put these
suggestions into action – or see them demonstrated – the “lesson” is
reinforced. And so it is with us in our relationship with Jesus Christ.
This foundation is important. Bible study grounds us…give us a “go-to”
source for guidance and encouragement. But we have to know how to put
these lessons and assurances into action, also.
We can spout
scripture all day long. We can appear to be one of the Godliest people
on the planet...someone who always attends worship services and Bible
studies – or teaches classes and serves on committees. We can wear the
t-shirts and sport the bumper stickers and the crosses on our clothing
and jewelry. We can pass out food to the needy and house the homeless
and orphans. But if we don’t demonstrate a sincere internalization of
the Biblical foundation that we have been given, we will eventually
crumble and wash away. People will see us for the shams and frauds that
we are…and God’s Kingdom will suffer.
What I am trying to tell you is that we have to get into God’s word…and then we have to get into
God’s word. We have to build a solid base of wisdom, encouragement,
hope and faith…and then we have to reinforce the foundation by
prayerfully putting these into practice each and every day in our own
lives. We want to demonstrate the confidence and assurance that Jesus
emulated to those with whom He interacted. We don’t want to just keep up
appearances like the priests and “religion teachers”…we want others to
truly see Jesus Christ in action through our words and deeds.
Build
your Christian discipleship on a firm foundation that includes
confidence in God’s word…and personal evidence that it works in your own
life. Demonstrate that you are rock solid in your faith…that everything
you say and do is undergirded by the power of Jesus Christ working in
and through you. Let others see someone who is firmly planted in the
word of God…and operating daily in His wisdom and promises. How firm is
your “foundation” today? Isn’t it time you knew?
©2016 Debbie Robus
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