To know a truth is not the same as acting on a truth.
When we know the words of the Gospel yet fail to live them out, Jesus says we are like the one who builds a house on faulty sand. It is certain to crumble under the chaos of a storm.
In Matthew 7 Jesus says, “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded that house, and it collapsed. It collapsed with a great crash.” (Matthew 7:24-27 CSB).
Through our obedience of His words, we form a foundation that can withstand the coming storms. The chaos of insecurity, illness, and death are given little opportunity to disrupt our eternal hope when our perspective is rightly focused on the one who built the foundations of the Earth. Knowing and doing Jesus’ words gives us the right perspective when the storm surge comes.
Acting on the words of Jesus also reveals our confidence in where those words originate. Jesus says that His words come from His Father, the very creator of the universe! “Now they know that everything you have given me is from you” John 17:7 (CSB).
When we fully understand the authority by which the words of Jesus are given, it will become evident by our actions, and those around us will take notice. “When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, because he was teaching them like one who had authority, and not like their scribes.” (Matthew 7:28-29 CSB)
Our belief in the value of His words and our understanding of His grace produces an authority in which we can both speak and live. This gives us the chance to share the reason for our hope when people in our lives encounter storms of their own. Let us strive to become like the wise builder, who not only hears the truth but acts upon it. Doing so will reveal our confidence in its origin and ensure we are left standing on a firm foundation.