Rock versus Sand
If you are like most folks, your home is one of your most cherished possessions. We feel safe and protected when at home. Home is where the heart is, right? Homes can also be an expression of our inner personalities, our likes and our dislikes. Is your home a one-story or a two-story, brick or siding, large or small?
Regardless of what our homes look like, they contain things that are dear to us, such as our families, our photos, and those things we keep stuffing in the attic or the basement! However, there is one thing that can make or break the structure of our home – the foundation. A bad foundation can lead to a major disaster.
Just like our physical home, our spiritual lives must be built on a solid foundation. Jesus would use the following parable to make this point:
“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” Matthew 7:24-27 NLT
Is your spiritual foundation made of rock or sand? Interestingly, Luke gives us a little more of the conversation to ponder:
“So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it.” Luke 6:46-47
How many times have you heard, “Do as I say, not as I do”? Jesus says, “Do as I say and as I do. Period.” Looking at the two passages closely, there are two actions that need to occur: one must listen and one must follow. Only then will we gain wisdom.
“God alone understands the way to wisdom; he knows where it can be found, for he looks throughout the whole earth and sees everything under the heavens. …And this is what he says to all humanity: ‘The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.’” Job 28: 23-24, 28. NLT
We can all listen to great teachings and sermons, but if we do not practice what we have learned, the lesson is lost. In order to have a rock-solid foundation, we must be ‘hearers’ and ‘doers’ of the word. Otherwise, like the home built on sand, we really have no foundation under us.
But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth]. James 1:22 AMP
So today, survey what you have built your spiritual life on:
1. Are you doing or have you done the hard work of building a firm foundation? Great! Now, keep working to build a great spiritual life.
2. On inspection, are you able to find cracks in your foundation? If so, they need immediate attention. Dig into the Word and fill in those gaps!
3. Are you without a real foundation? Start listening to and following the Lord’s instructions. He will be gracious and come along side of you to help you establish a solid footing that you can build on for years to come.
Father God, I pray that those with a solid foundation, continue to grow and thrive, being careful to protect the foundation they have gained. I pray that those with cracks in their foundation or those without a foundation, find refuge in you and are filled with a desire to ‘hear’ and ‘do’ all the Word contains. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Blessings!
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Amplified Bible (AMP). Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation