Two Houses

Sunday March 1, 2015

In 2010 researchers simulated  category 3 hurricane to test the strength of two houses - one built according to normal construction standards for the region and the other built with a reinforced roof and floors. The researchers turned on giant fans to create wind gusts of 110 miles per hour for more than 10 minutes.

The house that was built according to conventional standards was severely shaken and it eventually collapsed. In contrast, the house with the reinforcements survived with only a few cosmetic damages. An engineer working on the experiment summarised the results with a sobering question : "The [question] you have to ask yourself is :  which house would you rather be living in?"

Concluding His teaching on the attitudes and behaviour of kingdom living, Jesus told His listeners the tale of two houses (Matthew 7:24-27). He said that obeying His teachings (chapter 5 -7) is like being a wise builder who constructs his house on bedrock (7:24). Even when fierce winds blow, the house will stand tall (v.25).

In contrast, the person who hears but doesn´t obey is likened to a foolish man who builds his house on a sandy foundation (v.26). When the big winds blow, the house will collapse (v.27). Each house may look secure, but a severe test will reveal the true quality of the builder´s work.

In telling this parable, Jesus presents two options : you can build your life on the solid foundation of genuine obedience or on the unstable sand of external righteousness.

Let´s humbly practice receiving Jesus' teaching. Hearing and applying it will make for a healthy spiritual life. May we seek God´s wisdom as we strive to get our "house" in order! - Marvin Williams

Read
Matthew 7:24-27
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 the 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.

Joshua 24:15
But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the Gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.

Question to Ponder
Take an honest inventory of your journey. On what foundation are you building your life?
Read through the Sermon on the Mount again (Matthew 5 - 7). What part of Jesus' teachings will you begin putting into action this week?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) March 2015 - May 2015 issue