"Two Builders-Laying A Foundation"
I was reading Matthew 7:24-27 about a couple of builders who built houses on two different types of foundations. Most, if not all who are reading, know where this blog might be going. We know that Jesus taught the foundation upon which we build our spiritual house is of the utmost importance. It never hurts to be reminded of certain passages, so today I want to point out some elements of Matthew's passage that show us why the foundation of your life matters. I'll begin with this. Jesus is speaking: "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it didn't fall: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that hears these sayings of mine, and doesn't do them, will be like a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rains descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house and it fell: and great was the fall of it."
There are some interesting things to note regarding this particular verse. Observe the characteristics of the two builders:
A) BOTH HEARD THE WORDS OF CHRIST- The two people in this parable both heard Jesus share His message of faith and repentance (verse 24, 26). Therefore, both people in this parable knew the way of salvation. They both heard the gospel and each one had a reaction to it.
B) BOTH BUILT HOUSES- Each person built a house based on their understanding of what Jesus said. The house in this parable represents a picture of our spiritual life. Depending on how each builder heard/interpreted Jesus' words, each one then applied Jesus' words as they saw fit.
C) BOTH BUILT IN THE SAME LOCATION- How do we know that? Verse 27 describes a very severe storm. This same storm affected both houses, so they must have been built in close proximity to one another.
D) BOTH BUILT SIMILAR HOUSES- Nothing is said about their houses being different. They used similar materials and most likely a similar design. Have you ever lived in a neighborhood where all the houses look exactly the same? The only difference is the color of the siding, shutters, or shingles, yet they have the same shape, design, floor plan, and square footage?
The only difference Jesus mentions in these verses is the FOUNDATION each man built upon. If you look closely, the parable is a picture of people and how they respond differently to the Gospel message. People hear that same message and they react to it in different ways. Regardless of how a person may react to it, people build all their lives based on what "they think" Jesus is saying. These two builders constructed their houses in the same location. That is, apparently they weathered the same storm. However, from the 'outside' you can't tell much difference between the two 'hearers!' Obviously, the people pictured here are religious, orthodox in their beliefs, serving in and supporting the church. They have a lot in common, at least on the outside.
Are there contrasts? There are some major differences between these two types of people and I believe it's worth noting.
*ONE MAN BUILT HIS HOUSE ON SAND- This man built with little preparation (or he would not have chosen sand as a foundation). Sand is unstable, ever-changing, ever-moving, without any stability. It can never provide a firm foundation. Building your spiritual house on sand speaks of people who hear the gospel, but instead of believing it and coming to faith in Jesus, they believe they can build their lives on the shifting sands of human philosophy, wisdom, opinion, and religious achievement. They are driven by outward, religious appearances and faith in themselves, rather than faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. They are people who hear the gospel and decide they can save themselves by being good. They might even believe the general message of the gospel but choose to follow God on their own terms. To them, His Word is open to interpretation and worse yet, change when it needs to align with their convictions! If God commands them to do something, they will obey if and only when they choose to do so If they don't like it, they won't do it. This is where self-interpretation and change come in. Sadly, their houses are built on self-will, self-fulfillment, self-satisfaction, and self-righteousness! 2 Timothy 3:5 says it best, "(they) having a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof: from such turn away." Their works are based on religion that has the appearance of being right, but lacks the power to save the soul! Too, think of it. Building on sand is easier. It requires little effort. They choose this foundation because just a little change here, maybe slightly there, but not too much or it becomes an inconvenience. They don't want inconvenience. They fool themselves and everyone else around them into thinking they are in good standing with the Lord. The bottom line is, a spiritual life built on sand requires no commitment, no sacrifice, and no faith whatsoever. Sand builders like instant results without commitment. They love the heights but hate the depths, are hot then cold, up then down. They constantly shift. Sand foundations are built by those who believe they can say a prayer, sign a card, join a church, and all will be well.
*THE OTHER MAN BUILT IS HOUSE ON A ROCK- This man digs deep, deep enough until he reached the bedrock. Rock doesn't move. It is unchanging, stable, and sure. Building on rock speaks of people who hear the gospel and believe it to the point that they build their lives on it! Consider the following. The word "rock' in these verses is identified as "These words of mine." The "rock" IS the gospel...the very words of Jesus. It's the same rock mentioned in Matthew 16: 16-18 (you might want to look that up). Rock builders understand that Jesus alone has the power to save their souls. They hear the Word and conform their lives to it. They believe it, embrace it, yield to it and the message(s) change their lives because their foundation is sure. You know you've built your spiritual life upon The Rock when you do what God asks in His Word. What God warns you not to do, you avoid. You will pay any price, walk any path, or do anything the Lord tells you to do. You love Him, honor Him, and obey Him (John 14:15, 1 John 2:3-6).
So, in conclusion, there are two types of builders who construct very different lives based on how they hear and respond to the gospel. Of a truth, YOU are building one of those houses right now. You can join a church and still go to hell. You can be a good person in the eyes of others and still go to hell. You can build your house on religion and still go to hell. You can build your house on human wisdom, human philosophies, and anything else you can name, and you can still die and go to hell. But if you build your life on faith in Jesus Christ, The Rock, your house will stand through the storms of life be it spiritual or natural and you will be saved. You realize that the person who built his house on the sand never intended for his house to fall. He THOUGHT he was doing the right thing as so many others do today. He thought he was building a house that would stand against anything that came. He was wrong. His confidence was not in the Lord; it was in himself and in his own perceived goodness. His confidence was misplaced. The problem with his house is the foundation! So if you are building your spiritual house on anything but Jesus Christ and His gospel, it will fall. When it falls, you will be lost forever. In a spiritual sense, every day you attach boards, drive nails, add on rooms, and try to improve your house. Regardless of what you do to the house you are building, what matters the most is the foundation. Be absolutely sure you are building on Jesus Christ and His Gospel. If you have realized today, or know of someone in your family or circle of friends that has been building on the wrong foundation, you or they can change that by turning to Jesus Christ today. There is a storm coming that's going to shake foundations everywhere and your spiritual house is right in its path. When that storm comes, the only houses that will stand are those built on the solid foundation of the Word of God.
Until He Comes,
-Pat-
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