“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
Matthew 7:24
The Word of God does what it says, as we were reminded last week. However, Christians who believe the Word of God are to do what it says as well. The Word of God is true. The Word of God is also good for you. A pastor reminded me last week at a circuit winkel that Psalm 119 is nothing but extolling why the Word of God is good for His beloved people. Because of His great love for us, God has given us His Word to strengthen and guide us.
We live in a smorgasbord culture where everyone picks what they want and rejects the parts that they don’t want. Too often, we bring that line of thinking into our spiritual lives as well. Our culture conditions us toward a “Have it your way! You rule!” spiritual life. We want the manger, but not the cross. We want the Gospel, but not the Law. We want glory, but not suffering. We want parts of the Word of God rather than the full counsel of God. However, the Word of God is good for you even when it is calling you to turn away from sin and back to God in repentance and faith.
In Jesus’ teaching about the wise and foolish builders, He clearly articulates how “doing the words of Jesus” is good for you. The Christian faith is not about having it your way, but God’s Way instead. He rules in our lives as the Word of God is taught in all its truth and purity, not piecemeal. True wisdom is building your house and your life on the solid foundation of God’s Word. While many are straying from the Church because they are uncomfortable with the Scriptures, we are called to teach that the Word of God is good for us all as it strengthens our faith and guides our lives.
Prayer – Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant that we may hear, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them; that by patience and comfort of thy holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
Fraternally in Christ,
President Lee Hagan