PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 7:24-29
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice…” (Matthew 7:24)
Sunday after Sunday we are in church to hear the words of Jesus.
For many this is one of the most important parts of being a christian.
But hearing Jesus does not make one a christian, following Jesus does.
And not just following Him to places to hear Him some more.
Wisdom for Jesus is seen in the person who aims to put His words into practice.
Living and doing what Jesus says is the most important part of being a christian.
In these few chapters (Matthew 5-7) we already have more than enough to work on.
But doesn’t this emphasis on ‘doing’ make salvation about what we do?
No, it all starts in what Jesus does for us, and only He can do that.
But it does not end there; we have been saved from folly for wise living.
We have been set free from selfish, hurtful, greedy, lustful lifestyles.
We will still struggle, for sin is still part of our life, but now so is Jesus.
Our efforts will be imperfect, but the Spirit of Jesus will help us, and we will improve.
All the sermons in the world will not help us, if we refuse to do what Jesus says.
PRAYER
Lord, You are very specific in these words about what You want me to do. Help me to see what You say as not just rules to follow, but as the wisest and best way to live!
I am reminded here about the floods in Malawi where people continue to build their houses of mud bricks on the flood plains and year after year their homes are washed away and/or rain destroyed. But we can also see that in North American where people build their homes. Our foundation needs to be on the solid Rock of Jesus Christ and not my own making or wlsdom. I need to heed His words and live out of that word each and every day. I must walk the talk, word and deed must be in sync.
Help me daily in my stand Lord.
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus Christ, my righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
I remember Ben, a former supervisor when I worked at the Greenhouses saying to us his teenage work gang – do as I say, but don’t do as I do – when we were teasing him about his inconsistencies – he held us up to a higher standard than what we observed him to practice. He would ‘cut corners’ but he would call it on us if we did. Yet we respected him, because he was honest about it- he did not hold himself up as a saint- he was like us and we respected him because he was committed to us – he could be a straight shooter with us and we with him. When it comes to the words of Jesus especially when it comes to temptations and thoughts – how do I put in practice what Jesus teaches and practices – he walked the talk like none other. Lord help me walk the talk – help me strike out any hypocrisy and cut out any facades. Your word is the foundation of living!
Hearing Jesus’ teachings and then doing them build a solid foundation for living.
It says Jesus taught with authority and that astonished the people. How, then, did the scribes teach? Not with authority? Were the scribes not convinced by their own teachings?
Lord Jesus, help me to hear You and follow through with actions that demonstrate that I hear You. In Your name, amen.
Lord Jesus you are the Rock the Foundation that can not be moved nor shaken on whom I build my life. Help me O Holy Spirit to live this out as follower of Jesus so that in my words and actions I may be a life changer to anyone around me–my siblings, neighbours, co-workers, friends, relatives and even strangers.