On the Rock
“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.
The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.
The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:24-27.
Do you put the teachings of Jesus into practice? Think about this. Jesus when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40.
Do you love God and your neighbour unconditionally?
How about this? Jesus said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”Matthew 5:43-45.
Do you show genuine love to your enemy?
Here’s another thing Jesus said,
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1,2.
Do you judge others?
The apostle Paul elaborates on what Jesus said saying,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
Christians have no right to judge anyone outside the Church. We are allowed to judge those inside the church but only to assure that sound doctrine is being taught.
Jesus said,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20.
Are you telling others about Jesus and His saving Grace?
Here’s something else to consider. Matthew’s Gospel records.
“When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the “sinners” and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?”
On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:16,17.
Are you willing to sit with those whom you disagree with? Those you may regard as sinners?
The teachings of Jesus was the very opposite to the way of the world.
Napoleon Bonaparte former French emperor. A man who tried to conquer the world said of Jesus.
"You speak of Caesar, of Alexander, of their conquests and of the enthusiasm which they enkindled in the hearts of their soldiers; but can you conceive of a dead man making conquests, with an army faithful and entirely devoted to his memory? My armies have forgotten me even while living, as the Carthaginian army forgot Hannibal. Such is our power.”
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”Napoleon Bonaparte.
The teachings of Jesus are founded on love. Jesus never raised a sword in anger. He never took a political stance. Never spoke against anyone outside his own faith.
Jesus a Jew, stood up to Jewish leaders, but never spoke against the secular Roman government. Nor did his disciples.
Jesus showed by example the foundation on which our faith and our lives as Christians need to be built upon. Unconditional love.
Question: Is your life built on unconditional love for those around you including love for your enemies?
Would you be asked by non-Christians to sit with them and discuss your beliefs?
Or,
Do people consider you judgmental, to closed minded to talk to?
Are you known for what you are against rather than showing the Love of Jesus?
Please think about it.
“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.
The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.
The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:24-27.
Do you put the teachings of Jesus into practice? Think about this. Jesus when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40.
Do you love God and your neighbour unconditionally?
How about this? Jesus said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”Matthew 5:43-45.
Do you show genuine love to your enemy?
Here’s another thing Jesus said,
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1,2.
Do you judge others?
The apostle Paul elaborates on what Jesus said saying,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
Christians have no right to judge anyone outside the Church. We are allowed to judge those inside the church but only to assure that sound doctrine is being taught.
Jesus said,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20.
Are you telling others about Jesus and His saving Grace?
Here’s something else to consider. Matthew’s Gospel records.
“When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the “sinners” and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?”
On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:16,17.
Are you willing to sit with those whom you disagree with? Those you may regard as sinners?
The teachings of Jesus was the very opposite to the way of the world.
Napoleon Bonaparte former French emperor. A man who tried to conquer the world said of Jesus.
"You speak of Caesar, of Alexander, of their conquests and of the enthusiasm which they enkindled in the hearts of their soldiers; but can you conceive of a dead man making conquests, with an army faithful and entirely devoted to his memory? My armies have forgotten me even while living, as the Carthaginian army forgot Hannibal. Such is our power.”
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”Napoleon Bonaparte.
The teachings of Jesus are founded on love. Jesus never raised a sword in anger. He never took a political stance. Never spoke against anyone outside his own faith.
Jesus a Jew, stood up to Jewish leaders, but never spoke against the secular Roman government. Nor did his disciples.
Jesus showed by example the foundation on which our faith and our lives as Christians need to be built upon. Unconditional love.
Question: Is your life built on unconditional love for those around you including love for your enemies?
Would you be asked by non-Christians to sit with them and discuss your beliefs?
Or,
Do people consider you judgmental, to closed minded to talk to?
Are you known for what you are against rather than showing the Love of Jesus?
Please think about it.
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