I have been reading through the New Testament chronologically, jumping around to put events in the order in which they happened, and doing that over a 90-day period (Oct. to Dec.). I’ll post here from time to time some reflections of my reading.
I’m in the middle of the Gospels now, and was re-reading a few sections on the heels of an amazing evangelistic Sunday yesterday, seeing a number of individuals accept Christ after having God tug at their hearts through His Word.
I camped a bit at the end of Matthew 7, specifically verses 24-27. The wise man and the foolish man both build houses, on rock and sand, respectively. I have enjoyed this passage in the course of doing counseling studies, and in this text, this familiar story, we perhaps pass over the main point of Jesus teaching, in my opinion. Read on, you’ll see what I mean.
Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7 are what we know as the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is teaching, and He covers a vast amount of topics, including: the characteristics of believers, those who will be in the Kingdom; salt and light; His coming to fulfill the Law (declaring salvation through Him); prayer; true wealth (treasures in Heaven); righteous/proper judging; the narrow and wide gate; and this is just to name a few.
Here is what I have missed before when wrapping up Jesus’ sermon. He has spent a good amount of time teaching and preaching, explaining to the crowd all about Him. And then he closes by talking about two foundations, rock and sand. OK, that I get, but look closer, and see what these two builders have in common. They both HEAR the teaching of the Word, and then make a choice. Both have the same information to work with, and then must willingly follow a course of action.
Those who hear and “act on them”, that is, they obey, are like the man building on rock. They have chosen the proper foundation.
Those who hear and “do not act on them”, that is, do not obey the Word, are like the man building on sand. They have chosen the wrong foundation.
My point is simple, we all have a choice to make. Yes, it is wise to build on the solid rock, the foundation that is Christ. My intent is not to diminish that aspect. Rather, I wish to raise awareness to the fact that when we tell people the good news of Christ, they have to make a choice. When we as believers are faced with trials, we must take responsibility and make a choice.
Unbelievers may choose not to follow Christ. That is hard for us to accept, and it is a real possibility. Believers may choose to not yield to the Spirit, also a real possibility.
We have the Word, we have the Spirit, and He may not verbally tell us every single action to take, and yet He tells us to be wise, and then deal with the consequences of our choices, good or bad, either way knowing that He is God and still in control. A solid foundation of Christ is the result of hearing His Word, and wisely choosing to hear and act upon it.
Following Christ is no accident; it is a conscious decision to do what is good and right, based on the truth of His Word.
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