It means living BY every word that proceeds from the mouth of Christ.Ī true, successful Christian builds his life on Christ. But that’s not the same thing as building your life on the Rock of Jesus Christ. They find Jesus, they respond to an altar call and think all they have to do is live “the good life.” The thing is, anybody can live “the good life.” All you have to do is obey the law and life like your grandmother taught you do. How many people just assume being “a good person” is enough? A lot of Christians are like that, too. It wasn’t just a good foundation he was after, the “wise builder” wanted the rock. (C) He built his house after he found the rock. The Palestinian rainy season always brings with it floods and washouts. He knew the rains would come, like they always did. That means we live cautiously, with foresight. We must live build our lives ON Christ, not near Him or beside Him, but ON Him. If we are to live successfully for Christ, we must “dig down deep.” We can’t live on the surface we can’t be superficial Christians. We are given the “tools” for successful Christian living, but the “living” part is up to us. But once we are born again, God gives us what we need to live for Him – things like the gifts of the Holy Spirit, His Word, and the Church. He saves us through no effort on our part He does it all. It seems as though some Christians feel like God owes them things, like good health and a healthy bank account. Christians are called to do these things and more, however. Reading, studying, and understanding the Word is not easy. What a suggestive phrase! A life that is pleasing to God is not an easy life. Jesus said the “wise builder” “dug down deep” in order to get to the rock. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NIV84) Nobody thinks about the foundation of his house until it cracks or leaks. A Christian would do well to remember this. He knew he had to find solid ground upon which to build his house. He knew he couldn’t build his house on it. This is implied he had no faith in the sandy earth. The “wise builder” displayed a number of characteristics: The first builder in this short parable is the “wise” one who listened to the teachings of Jesus and put them into practice. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. The parable of the two builders ends the Sermon on the Plain and is also found in Matthew’s Gospel with minor differences. Being obedient is the bare minimum way of showing your allegiance to Jesus Christ. If someone is going to call Jesus their “Lord” and “Savior,” the very least they should do is pay attention to His teaching and do what He tells them to do. “Why do you call me, `Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (verse 46) It’s interesting that 2,000 years ago believers had the same problem as modern ones. Far too many people fail to put their faith into practice. According to Jesus Himself, those things may not be evidence of faith at all. It seems as though anybody can say, “I’m a Christian,” or “I love Jesus,” while quoting John 3:16. These are great verses for modern believers in North America, where it costs virtually nothing to be a Christian. A true Christian will always strive to live in obedience to the Word of God. The second acid test involves doing what Jesus says. A man’s character is revealed by the kind of fruit he bears what he says and what he does, and the kind of attitude he has. The first one: the necessity of bearing healthy fruit (verses 43-45). We are to come to Jesus as Savior, hear Him as the great Teacher, and serve Him as Lord.Īs Jesus’ “Sermon on the Plain” draws to a close, our Lord gives two character tests. This verse, more than any other single verse in the Bible, best describes how a true Christian should live his life: come (to Jesus) hear (the Word) and put the Word into practice. As for those who come to me and hear my words and put them into practice, I will show you what they are like.
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