Learning DAILY

 

Matthew 7:24-27, “Therefore whoever hears these words of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on the house; and it did not fail, for it was founded on the rock.” 

                                                                                       Jesus                                                                     

 

Many people, including us, who live in San Antonio, understand what it means to build houses on a firm foundation, a rock.  From my understanding, our house was built on land filled with broken rock.  As a result our house shifts or moves from time to time.  

 

These words of Jesus are at the end of the Sermon on the Mount.  Jesus wanted to be sure His disciples listened closely to His word so that they heard Him.  I am told that I hear words spoken to me but do not really listen closely enough to truly hear them.   I once read a statistic that people who listen to a really good speaker “hear” only about five minutes of a thirty minute sermon.  I suppose that this refers to our attention span; our mind tends to wander and to think about the many others things we need to be doing.  At this point, I am wondering how many “amens” I might be getting!

 

Jesus wanted His disciples to hear His words in order to understand His words.  Without understanding words are just words put together in a sentence.  Without understanding one does not follow through with action.  Jesus wanted His disciples to understand His words so they would act upon them.  He spoke words of life for those who did them.  He taught that carrying out the will of His heavenly Father was a condition for entering the kingdom of heaven. 

 

We talked about grace in the last page of the blog.  Understanding God’s grace will help us know that being obedient to the will of God demanded by Christ is an ongoing condition for salvation; Christ declared that grace is to be continually prayed for, received, and put into practice.  We are capable of doing the will of God and living righteous lives by virtue of God’s gift of grace; God’s grace always makes possible the obedience He demands of us.

 

Luke’s gospel adds this to what Matthew wrote, “But why do you call Me Lord, Lord and not do the things which I say?” (Jesus).  “To call someone Lord is to acknowledge that person’s authority.  To call someone Lord and then disregard that person’s instructions is to live as a liar and hypocrite.” (David Jeremiah). 

 

So, why is this important for you and me to understand?  Hardships and trials and tragedies come.  They quickly show who have put the words of Jesus into practice.  The apostle James wrote that we are to, “be doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”  Simply listening to the Word has no lasting value.   Let me ask you to remember the words of the minister or pastor of last week’s message.  What was said?  What did you take away from it?  Did you put into practice anything that was said?  The Bible used to be taken with people to church – electronics have changed that.  The Word of God, regardless of how you look at it is to be opened with the intent of doing what it says. 

Hardships and tragedies are going to come.  Your reaction will be based on the foundation you have built upon.  Jesus said that when they come, those who have built upon a solid foundation will be able to get through it.  Jesus and His Word is the foundation.  He has promised to be with us through all situations we face in this life.  Sadly, those who fail to do so will see their “house” fall.  “Do not be that person who sits in a class to gain information but never intend to do anything with the material.”  (David Jeremiah)  Instead be a careful student of the Bible.  There is so much to learn; that which is more valuable than gold or silver or any precious minerals or jewels.  Then, as you learn, be a doer of what you read and understand.

 

If you would like to get this blog sent to you automatically when new posts are posted please leave your email address with “Follow by email.” Don’t forget to check Follow as well.

 

Remember – if you receive this blog through email, you can go to the regular blog page by moving your cursor to the top of the page and click on LEARNING DAILY header.  Then you can see the archived articles and comment section. You can also leave a comment by clicking on the date in the Comment Section.