Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it. Matthew 7:24-27
I don’t know about you, but if I were to build a house, I certainly would not want to build it on sand, but a solid, strong foundation that won’t fall when the storms come. Jesus’ words here were so crucial because He was describing the importance of how we build our faith and comparing it to building a physical home. Some of the ‘materials’ we need to build a strong home is not merely knowing the word of God, but actually living out His word. I would rather live out one scripture in a chapter in the bible, than know the whole chapter, but not live out one scripture. It is not about head knowledge, but a life lived out in the truth of His word. I think this is where a lot of Christians fall. They read the bible to check a box, but they fail to have it change their heart, mind and ultimately, life. Some people are impressed by leaders who can quote scriptures, entire passages or sections of the bible. I am impressed more by people who reflect the word in their heart and life.
The problem with just knowing the word of God, is that when a storm, or trial comes, the house (or foundation of faith) has the possibility of falling down. In fact, trials or storms are what actually test the foundation. This is what happened to me when I first got sick with lyme disease. My foundation was crumbling fast and I needed to address that quickly, before my whole house came tumbling down. Thankfully, God gave me another chance at rebuilding the foundation that I had that was weak. He showed me the key to a strong foundation is to renew my mind, and align my thoughts with His word, instead of getting caught up with lies of the enemy. My foundation was built on sand, or lies from the enemy, so when the trial, or sickness came, the house started to fall as well. I knew the word well, but I didn’t obey, or practice it. I was a Christian for about 15 years at that point, but my life wasn’t transformed by the renewing of the mind.
How did a start over and build a new foundation? Well, we’ll start with Revelation 21:5, where it says, “Behold, I make all things new”. I had to start over. Because fear and anxiety dictated my life, I needed the opposite, which was love and peace. There is a scripture that says, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love” 1 John 4:18. I needed a season of meditating on His love for me, through believing the word of God. Naturally, over time, that drove the fear out. I also needed to trust Him. You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you (Isaiah 26:3). First off, this requires relationship with God. You can’t trust someone you do not know. Relationship requires time with God. Praying, reading, listening to His voice and just having an open ear at all times to what He has to say. I believe anyone’s foundation needs to be built on relationship with God, as everything else flows from there. It’s also something that is continual as we build on the foundation. Sometimes like me, believers need to re-check the foundation and get the basic principles. I am going to leave off with a part of Hebrews 6:1-12 that just left me in tears, for the continual hope that we have in Christ. I hope it brings you back to repentance, and refreshes your relationship with Him:
Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this we will do, if God permits.
It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age— and then have fallen away—to be restored to repentance, because they themselves are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting Him to open shame.
For land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is tended receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless, and its curse is imminent. In the end it will be burned.
Even though we speak like this, beloved, we are convinced of better things in your case—things that accompany salvation. For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so.
We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. Then you will not be sluggish, but will imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.