The Parable of The Wise And Foolish Builders. On one level, it’s about the choice between building a house on rock or sand. That sounds like an easy choice to make. On another level, it’s about what we do, if anything, after hearing or reading what Jesus had to say.
Parable of The Wise And Foolish Builders More
What’s important to you? Do we even take time to think about that question? Or are we just so focused on “now” that we don’t even know what’s important?
Maybe I should say, what’s important in your future? You know, beyond the next few minutes? Even better, your distant future? Where do you hope to be at the end of your life?
In other words, what’s your life goal? What’s important for you to be able to achieve your life goal? Do I dare even ask if you’ve thought about the next life? What happens after this one?
Who is the wise one in Jesus’ parable about building? In the parable of the wise and foolish builders, Jesus compared, obviously, a wise builder and a foolish one. Of course, we want to emulate the wise builder. So let’s take a look at him. What is it that made him “wise”? Was it conventional wisdom of the time? Or was it something else?
Who is the wise one in Jesus’ parable about building? More
Whoever loves God must also love his brother and sister. That’s not from me. It’s from the Bible. Certainly, non-Christians might feel no obligation to obey it. But if we’re Christian, it’s not a suggestion. It’s not just a “nice” thing to think about. It’s a command! And there aren’t any exceptions to go with it. In case you’re wondering, or even if you’re not, that includes our “brothers and sisters” from another country. Again, Jesus gives no exceptions.
Whoever loves God must also love his brother and sister More
“The LORD Said. I Think. Oops! That Was Me!” Yeah, that really happens. I do wish I could take credit for my title, but I can’t. It’s from a book by T. F. Tenney, titled The Lord Said– Or Was That Me: Some More Advice Unasked For And Seldom Heeded. I’ll hopefully write about it (the book) some day, but for now it’s just the title I’m borrowing.
It’s hard to admit even to ourselves when we do something because we thought it’s what God wanted, but then find out it wasn’t. Worse yet, it’s what we wanted.
The LORD Said. I Think. Oops! That Was Me! More
Blessed are the peacemakers. But who / what are peacemakers? Some of you will think of a Colt handgun. Or a strategic bomber. Or maybe even an MX Missile. If you’re Christian, or think you’re Christian, hopefully those aren’t the first things that come to mind. Why not? Because Blessed are the peacemakers is something Jesus said. It’s one of the Beatitudes, from the Sermon on the Mount.
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Can you accidentally build on rock? If you’re not Christian, you probably won’t get the point of the question. But please, read on. Learn what it’s about and why I ask. If you are Christian, you should get it. But, have you ever really thought about it? Or do you just assume you’re building on rock?
Here’s what “build on rock” is about. It’s something Jesus said. Something about the “wise man”, meaning the one who truly follows Jesus. Someone who believe what Jesus said. In fact, who believes it so much that Jesus’ teachings guide their life. Not just someone who says a few words and hopes they’re saved. Someone who lives out their faith. And their faith is based on what Jesus taught.
Christians – can you accidentally build on rock? More
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Very much like the golden rule. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Except in this case, the one doing unto us is God. So if we show mercy to other people, then God will show mercy to us.
Like faith and believing is Jesus, action is an integral part of mercy. We’ll see that just saying, “God have mercy on you”, isn’t what Jesus is talking about. Nor is praying for someone and walking away.
It’s about doing something. Helping. kindness or good will towards the miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them.
