week of 12/12/11 3rd recorded HighQuest Matthew 7:24-29

The passage I read was Matthew 7:24-29

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+7%3A24-29&version=NIV

The verse that most stood out to me:

24 “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.

As I reflect:

“everyone who hears these words”… Note that both the builders heard the same words. This would be the equivalent of two men going into the same church on Sunday today. They both hear the same word from the Bible, but one of them is only in church because he thinks going to church saves him, or because he knows others see him in attendance, or cuz it’s just the thing to do. The 2^nd man is in church for fellowship and to learn and grow. Both men will leave the church after the service. One will be exactly the same as he was before entering the church, but the other man will be changed; and moved by the message, he will apply it to his life. Both men may look like Christians, but one of them is only a Christian on the outside. When the storms of life come; when you see their reaction to trials and tribulations in their life, you will see their Christian shroud fall off and their reactions will display their true colors. The other man will stand the test of trials and tribulations not because he went through the motions, but because he built his house on the rock. He has a solid foundation in Christ and is not easily moved because he not only listened to the word, but put them into practice being changed, matured, having characteristics of the Lord built up in them from the foundation up.

The point of this passage is a rather simple one with an eternal outcome. Our decisions have outcomes that reflect them. We must be sure to make a decision to follow Christ not only with our words but with our actions. Anyone can say they are saved, but to be saved displays fruit (the work and characteristics of) the Holy Spirit in their life. This isn’t something we can reproduce on our own. Genuine saving faith can be faked only so long. So make a decision to really know the Lord your God and really be saved from the inside out having a strong foundation.

My response to the Lord:

To my Savior, I thank you for what you have done and continue to do. Not only did you give your all for me, but you have allowed me to build upon you still today. You were rejected and continue to be rejected by the world of Pharisees; the blind and the lost, but I was blessed to see that you are in deed the only perfect cornerstone and upon this Rock has my life been rebuilt. You gave me a new heart, wisdom, understanding, and all the tools to apply the great many lessons you have shown me. Yeshua, may I never be found simply going through the motions. But it is my prayer to you that my motives always be right and that my actions reflect the truth in my words as taught by you my Savior. Amen.