Build your House on the Rock!

Perhaps like me, you too like admiring beautiful houses and functional spaces. You usually never hear people say “You have got a great foundation”. Instead people notice and appreciate what can be seen, that is the beautiful house. There is a lovely kid’s praise song by Psalty that has so much wisdom in it. It is based on a parable that Jesus said – not to build your house on sandy land because you might have to build it twice but instead to build your house on a rock, which is a solid spot for a good foundation! However beautiful the house is, it will last through rains and storms only if it has a solid foundation.

Each of us is building the house of our lives and we are doing it on a foundation we have chosen. Jesus is concerned about the foundation we are building our lives on as the storms and floods that will come are a certainty in this life. Storms and floods represent events outside of our control that happen to us, a job loss, death of a loved one, a broken relationship, an illness, financial hardship etc. If we don’t have a strong foundation, we will crumble when these storms and floods hit us. The foundation of our lives is unseen and invisible but it will be revealed when the storms of life come upon us.
Luke 6:46-49
⁴⁶ “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? ⁴⁷ As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. ⁴⁸ They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. ⁴⁹ But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

We can choose to build our lives on family or career or wealth or fame or even church and religious trappings as a foundation. However, all this is like building on sandy ground and our lives will crumble when a storm hits. The only lasting foundation on which we can build our lives confidently is on Jesus Christ, the eternal rock.

Notice that before Jesus tells them the parable, He starts by asking the disciples why they were calling Him Lord and not doing what He says. Salvation in Christ is not sufficient to ensure that we are building our lives on a solid foundation. Instead, we need to walk in daily obedience and submission to God. We cannot expect to be protected from the storms that come against us unless our lives are in complete obedience to God. So that means, we need to obey God in all areas of our life – the way we interact with one another, the way we treat our spouse and raise our kids, the way we run our businesses, our careers, our ministry. Yes, everything has to be built on the foundation of Christ and in on-going obedience to Him if we want it to last!
1 Corinthians 3:11-15
¹¹ For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, ¹³ their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. ¹⁴ If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.

God is with us and God is for us. God wants the absolute best for us and gives us practical tips from His word on how to live in a way that honors God and show love to others around us. At the heart of what it means to be a true disciple of our Lord is living in continued loving devotion to God. It means outwardly manifesting that we love God by making everyday choices to obey God. Genuine love for Christ will always manifest itself in obedience. The acid test that our love for God is real is our obedience. If we love Jesus, we will keep His commandments (John 14:15).

We are not going to be perfect this side of eternity but that does not mean we don’t renew our hearts daily to obey God and live in a way that pleases Him. We need to make daily choices to obey with the grace and help of the Holy Spirit in our lives. When we do this little by little, day by day consistently, we are building a sure foundation in Christ that will enable us to withstand the storms of this life and live as an overcomer growing strong in the Lord!

What are some choices you can make today in your life to build a strong foundation? Perhaps it is reading the Word consistently and praying regularly. Perhaps it is being kind and reflecting Christ in your relationships. Perhaps it is honoring God in your work and business. Perhaps it is making a resolve to break away from habits and addictions that enslave and destroy us. Make a fresh commitment to build your life on the sure foundation of complete obedience to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. You will keep standing strong despite the storms when you build your life on Christ, our Rock!