Saturday after Transfiguration, 3/03/01Matthew 7: 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. --NIV
In the name of the One Who gives us the solid foundation, amen.
These are perhaps some of the most frequently misunderstood words in the Bible. It seems like people miss the point that the foundation is really putting Jesus' words into practice, or not putting them into practice. There are similar passages elsewhere. The whole point is that it isn't enough to simply hear Jesus' words with our ears. We need to put them into practice too. It does no good to know that we must forgive, if we don't forgive. It does not good to know that we should ask, seek, and knock, if we don't pray.
Our faith is more than just knowledge. It is head knowledge, coupled with heart knowledge, which shows itself in action. Thankfully, our Savior Himself lived a perfect life for us. He put The Faith into action for us. If He hadn't, we would be in rough shape. Since He did the hard part-lived a perfect life in our place, we are free to reflect His love for us by doing the things that please Him out of a thankful heart. If we do that, then we truly have listened to Jesus. Amen.
Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, help us to put Jesus' words into practice, not to win our salvation, but in thanks for the salvation that Jesus won for us, amen.
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