Differentiator

Matt.7:²⁴ “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. ²⁵ Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.”

It is the storms and not wealth that is the differentiator in life. The storm is what reveals you to you. And that is why sometimes, God will allow us to experience storms so that we can identify the areas in our lives that are built on sand and not on the rock. Luke 6:⁴⁶ “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?”  The number one problem Jesus had with these people was obedience. Guess what? On the surface, everyone was calling Him Lord but not everyone was walking in obedience. 

Luke 6:⁴⁷ “I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it.” ⁴⁸ It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. ⁴⁹ But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.”

It is very easy to read this story and miss the depth of what Jesus is pointing out to us. Do not take it for granted, any house that is built on the sand would crumble. These two houses were identical –same doors, same design, same street, same stained-glass windows – identical! In fact, you could hardly see any difference just by looking at them. But everyone experiences storms and when the storms are over, the difference is clear. Any foundation not built on obedience will crumble. You have to obey God. Believing is useless if it does not lead to obedience. So what kind of Christian are you? the kind that builds his house on the sand or the kind that builds his house on the Rock? Do not wait until the storms come, it is best to sort out the problem of a faulty foundation before the storm.

Even if you have been married for twenty years and the relationship has been built on sand, it is never too late to build it on the rock. Even if you are just about to get married – it is never too late. Do not take it for granted, any house that is built on the sand would crumble.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, because my life is built on You, it will not crumble and when the storms of life come, I will be standing strong, in Jesus Mighty Name. Amen!