GOD THE BUILDER

Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV) “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

A lovely 2,400 square foot home built in 1969 rests beautifully on Magnolia Drive in Brea, CA . The eloquence of this home matches the esteem of its neighborhood. The craftsmanship and careful detail displays the grandeur of its stately staircase and cathedral ceilings. This dwelling's appearance is pristine, but none can fathom the erosion that took place in this immaculate residence.

Members of my family bought this home in 2000 and in 2006/2007 they noticed an issue with the sliding glass door in the kitchen. The door met at the top but they noticed a 3” gap at the bottom. The slider door could not close because of this unevenness. Then they noticed cracks in the wall board and ceiling at the top of the stairs.

They hired a geologist to come and survey their property. The results confirmed that the back half of their home was indeed sinking. Left without attention, their home would continue to descend. The inevitable collapse would occur if immediate action was not taken.

The geologist's results also revealed that the front half of their home, when it was built, was built on solid bed rock. On the contrary, the back half of their home, when it was built, was built on filler dirt; compacted dirt, rocks and pebbles. Over time the foundation could not hold the weight of this structure due to the lack of proper support and the compromise in the foundation.

After this happened to my family, I now cannot read Matthew 7:24-27 without the words jumping off the page. This word picture delivers new meaning to life. This a profound and personal example of why it is vital to build our foundation on the Rock.

Jesus taught that those who hear His words and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The direct opposite is also evident. Those who hear Jesus' words and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. When the rain and winds blow the house on a solid foundation remains standing while the one on sand crumbles to ruins.

According to this passage, Jesus' words must have great value if our obedience to them keeps us standing firm through life's storms. Jesus is telling us it's not good enough to just hear His words, we must put them into practice. The one who does not put them into practice is likened to an unstable foundation destined for destruction. As soon as the elements of the world attack, the weak and wobbly foundation will be demolished.

When my family discovered the corrosion beneath the surface of their home, its' value was $0! Their home was worth absolutely nothing. After the lengthy repairs in 2008 their abode appraised and was valued at $650K! This is a remarkable difference, but the expense to fix the foundation was $108K. There is a cost to build on the Rock of Christ; a personal sacrifice and investment to establish a fortified foundation.

Building on this Rock means constructing everything in our life on and around Jesus. It also means: Accepting Christ as the authority by which we conduct our lives; dying to self in order to live for Him; trading our will for His will; giving up selfish pursuits to further His Kingdom; putting into practice the truth of His Word and bearing fruit to what we profess.

We can also conclude that Jesus expects total commitment from us; an all or nothing surrender of our lives. We can't partially build our foundation on the Rock. Like the example of my family members home, partial construction on the rock will eventually succumb to destruction. Can we fix it? Yes we can!

A foolish builder builds on sand, but a wise builder constructs on the Rock because he knows the stability offered will last. Jesus is our rock. To build our life on anything other than Him is foolish. Only Christ provides the unwavering strength an established life well-built on Him yields.

God is the Builder. Jesus is our Rock! Let's build!

Heart Work:

Evaluate the foundation you are building on. What are you building your foundation with? (biblical truth vs. worldy influence) What are you building your foundation on? (rock vs. sand)

Does your foundation represent the wise man or foolish man mentioned in today's key verse in Matthew 7?

Ask God to help you recognize where you may need to make some changes in life to repair the stability of your foundation.

Heart Exam:

Is your life in the midst of rain or wind as mentioned in Matthew 7? How is your foundation crumbling? How is your foundation remaining strong?

How is your life putting into practice the things of God?

How does the result, according to Matthew 7, of not putting into practice the words of God, impact you?

What will it cost you to maintain the foundation you are building on?

Heart Changing Word:

Isaiah 28:16 (NIV) "So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: 'See I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed.' "

Ephesians 2:20b-22 "With Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit."

1 Corinthians 3:10b-11 "But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ."

Hebrews 11:10 "For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God."

Copyright 2011 by Hester Christensen. All rights reserved.