Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Building With The Master
Some times when I have had a day of reflection, like our holiday here yesterday, the following day starts a little different. That day was today. I thought this morning about how Jesus taught on the mountain that we are to hear His words and do them. What came to mind first was “wood, hay, stubble” from 1 Corinthians 3. It seems God will give us the freedom to be and to do what we see fit. The question is, is it good stuff or not? Maybe even more importantly, since we are all human and imperfect, how do we get yesterday’s wood, hay, and stubble out of the walls of the house we are building on the Rock, Jesus? It caused me to wonder exactly what was Jesus saying when He finished the sermon on the mount, talking about building on a rock or sand.
It would seem the most important point is to start on the Rock. For believers, this would be having Jesus as our Messiah. If we build on what men say, whether they are the long lists of the Pharisees of old or the long lists of the church leaders today, those are NOT the Rock. From the Rock (Jesus as our own Messiah) we lay up the walls, one piece of understanding at a time. And, being human, we will get parts of it wrong, and get some wood, hay, and stubble in there. We can leave it to be burned out in the end (1 Corinthians 3), or we can turn from building that way (repent), ask for God’s forgiveness, and build with good stuff again. And what shall we use to do it? Well, the sermon on the mount holds many nuggets worthy of being our wall. I like Matthew 5:13-20; 7:7-12. What works for me is not so important. What is important is that each of us spend time each day with the Master Builder, and let Him guide us, let what He says rule our lives, and not what men say.
Prayer
Father, thank You for Your guidance and direction in life. Thank You for allowing us to repent from the evil and the stupid things we do. Thank You for helping us each day to find the lighted path, the lamp unto our feet. We praise and thank You. In Jesus name. Amen.