What the scriptures says in Matthew 7:24-29,  the concluding verses, our Lord brings the greatest recorded sermon to an appropriate conclusion.

The goal of His message is to make us “wise unto salvation” (2 Timothy 3:15).

Indeed, this is the goal of the whole of the scriptures and the goal of every message from the Word of God. Multitudes of people had heard this great message from Christ, the Saviour of the world. The Lord had revealed God’s requirement for the blessed life.

It was a great privilege to hear the truth of the Kingdom from Christ Himself. But hearing the Word, even from Christ, the Lord of glory, is not enough; there must be a proper response to the message.

The Lord divides all who hear the truth of the Gospel to two classes. These two groups of people are classified as wise or foolish. The two groups have some similarities.

• They both hear the Word of God.
• They know the way of salvation as revealed by Christ.
• They build a house of spiritual life after hearing God’s Word.
• Both builders think that their houses will stand and withstand the tests and trials of life.
• The outward appearances of their spiritual houses look alike.

These similarities are superficial. The differences actually determine the strength and quality of our spiritual lives.

One house has its foundation on the Rock; the other, with no foundation is built on the sand.

One group of hearers obey the Word of repentance and righteousness, the other group do nothing, they do not obey the Word.

The wise man receives grace to live in obedience to God’s Word; the foolish man merely hears the Word without living in obedience. The wise man will rejoice throughout eternity while the foolish man will suffer throughout eternity.

“Whosoever heareth these sayings of Mine and doeth them.” Our wisdom begins with hearing the Word of God with a purposeful heart to obey.

There is no wisdom in hearing and not doing. Hearing about repentance, believing and entering the Kingdom, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, being pure in heart, walking in the light and glorifying God in all we do – this is our wisdom.

The wise builder builds on a strong foundation that will withstand all storms of life. Christ is the foundation of the Christian life. Yet we need to remember that Christ Himself refers to the foundation here as ‘obedience to His Word’

Further Scriptural reading: Matthew 7:24,25; Luke 6:47,48; 2 Timothy 2:19-22; Colossians 3:16,17; 1 John 2:3-6; 1 Peter 4:12-19; 2 Timothy 3:12-14; 2 Corinthians 4:7-18; Romans 8:35-39; Revelation 3:10-13.

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