Where Have We Built Our Foundation?

Matthew 7:21-27

Among the more heart-wrenching sights to see is when you watch a nice house come crashing down, often off of the side of a hill, or near the edge of a cliff.  I’ve seen news footage of this happening to beautiful homes in California, usually after heavy rains.  These homes were built on the sides of large hills, usually so the owner can have breathtaking views every day from his windows and patio deck.  Sometimes the houses were built along a coastal cliff, again so the owner can have a beautiful view of the ocean.  Alas, though, the house came crashing down, usually because it was built on unstable ground.  The developer had lured the unsuspecting homeowner into building his luxury home in this spot with the beautiful view, not paying attention to the fact that the ground was not stable.  After storms, the house came crashing down and all was lost.  As we shall read in our Scripture today from the Gospel of Matthew, a sure foundation is important.

In our passage for today, Jesus has two messages He wants us to learn.  The first is that just because someone calls themselves something, doesn’t necessarily mean they are.  Someone can say they have a real talent or ability in this or that, but really know very little about it.  Here in verses 21-23 Jesus tells us that not everyone who says they are a Christian is genuinely saved.  Jesus tells us that there will be some who will stand before Him one day, proudly professing all the good things they did, supposedly in His Name, but who had failed to genuinely accept Him as their Savior.  This group will even include some pastors and various church workers who were never truly saved.

Not everyone who talks about God and spiritual things belongs to God’s kingdom.  Jesus is more concerned about our walk than our talk.  What we do cannot be separated from what we believe.  The faith that says, but does not do is really unbelief.  Works do not save us, but true faith will not fail to produce the fruit of good works (James 1:22-25, James 2:26).   One who is truly saved is one that does the will of God, living in obedience to the will of God as the normal course of his life.  Only our relationship with Christ, accepting Him as Savior, and our obedience to Him will matter.  Faith in Christ is what counts on Judgment Day.

Jesus then proceeds to give the account of two houses that were built, one built upon rock, the other built upon sand (vs. 24-27).  Storms came, and only one house remained standing, because of it’s firm foundation.  The foundation that Jesus is talking about requires paying attention to, and listening to His words, and then doing what He says. If we only listen, but do not take action, we’ve accomplished nothing.  Jesus’ words are to be the foundation for our lives.

Hearing the Word of God alone will not change a life, and is not enough.  One must hear and do what Jesus said.  Putting His words into practice will help us to withstand the storms.  Those who ignore and neglect His words have their foundation on sand.  The Apostle Paul echoes this teaching in I Corinthians 3:11.  It is important to lay a proper foundation, one in Christ, the Rock, not in the shifting sands of false religions and philosophies.  Only a spiritual life built on the foundation of obedience to God’s Word stands.  One of repentance, salvation by faith, and trusting in Jesus’ grace alone.

It is not a watered-down, “everyone is in” Gospel that Jesus proclaimed here. If we give that message, not a soul will be saved.  Those who do proclaim that type of message will one day stand before Jesus and hear Him say “Depart from me.  I never knew you.”  His way is straight and narrow (Matthew 7:13-14).  There are many who appear to be walking the narrow way, but have never accepted Jesus as Savior.  Build on the Rock - be a hearing, responding disciple, not a phony, superficial one.  Obedience and faith in Jesus Christ is the foundation that will weather the storm.  The storm will come!  Be sure your foundation is sure!