One of the interesting things about living in Florida is that houses here are by and large built on sand. Yes, they do pour concrete slabs on top of the sand and that does help, but it is very common for sink holes to open up near or even under your home and mess everything up. Even if a sink hole doesn't swallow you, every home I've ever lived in here in Florida has settlement cracks proving just how stable that foundation really is.
Case in point, my wife and kids all go to the same school which is relatively new (this is the third year it's been open). The stress of the first week of school this year was heightened when two sink holes opened up on the school grounds. One was in a retention pond and another was in the parking lot. Ever since then our school parking lot has looked like a cross between a crime scene and an oil-drilling expedition. Needless to say it has been an adventure getting the kids to and from school this year.
Anyway, back to where our homes are built. You probably remember Jesus talking about being careful about the type of soil to build your house on. In Matthew 7:26, Jesus says that a foolish man builds his house on sand. Now I'm not trying to make a commentary on building practices here in Florida, but I do want to comment on the comparison that Jesus made here and in Luke 6.
You see, I don't know what I used to think about this parable, but recently something jumped out at me. Both the wise and foolish builders are hearing the words of Jesus. The difference is that the wise man is actually doing what Jesus said to do. The difference is obedience.
There are a lot of good people who listen to the words of Jesus today and have absolutely nothing to show for it. They are living in houses built on sand. Jesus said in Luke 6:46, "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" That's a really good question. Do you think that there may be people in our churches today who hear the words of Jesus and call Him "Lord" that are going to end up in complete destruction? I sure hope not.
James says, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." There is a really big difference between hearing Christ's words and doing Christ's words. Psalm 112 says, "Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in His commands." It goes on to talk about everyone else who is blessed by someone who hears the Lord and obeys Him; his chidren, his household, the upcoming generation, the poor. "Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever... His heart is secure, he will have no fear."
Why is his heart secure? Because he was wise enough to build on a firm foundation. A foundation of hearing the words of Jesus, and then doing what He says. May God bless your house as you build on a foundation of hearing Jesus and doing what He says.
Shiloh
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