Actions speak louder than words! The Sermon on the Mount is Jesus' practical instruction on the basic elements of The Law. In His teachings, Jesus talks about what leads to true happiness or contentment, marriage, divorce, anger, relationships, personal finance, anxiety, spiritual growth, prayer, grace, social and community responsibilities, and the way to a solid relationship with God. When He was done, His hearers went, "Wow! This guy teaches as one who knows what He's talking about. It really makes sense."
As Jesus concludes this message, He gives the well known illustration of the wise man who built his house on the rock versus the foolish man who built his house on the sand. What a huge difference it makes with all of life's twists and turns, challenges and crises, storms and swells. Jesus says those who build their life on and around His teachings will be able to endure.
But the key words in this simple illustration are "everyone who hears these words and puts them into practice." Hears and puts them into practice. Two issues: first, you have to be willing to listen to the words and teachings of Jesus. Many people just close their eyes and ears to what Jesus has to say. It's not cool. They're afraid they're going to have to give up their life, so they don't listen.
The second issue is another story. Jesus says you have to put them into practice. And that's where a lot of "followers of Christ" fail. They know all about the truths. They may have parts of it memorized. They've logged countless hours listening to sermons and teachings, etc. But the transition from ears to the heart never happens. It's one thing to ignore God's teaching. It's another thing to spend the time listening and never putting the truths into practice. Many believers look just like the world because even though they go to church and Bible study every week, they never translate those teachings into the everyday aspects of their lives. It's going in one ear and out the other. James says that we have to be both hearers and doers of the Word. Sitting in church week after week doesn't make you a Christian any more than sitting in your garage makes you a car.
God, I don't want to be all talk and no action, all blow and no go. Help my deeds match my talk. I want to be wise. Help me put your truths into practice every day.
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