June
5, 2003
BUILDING
YOUR HOUSE ON THE ROCK, Part II
"Therefore
whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will
liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock"
(Matthew 7:24, NKJV).
"We
build on Christ by obeying His word. It is not he who merely
enjoys righteousness, that is righteous, but he who does righteousness.
Holiness is no rapture; it is the result of surrendering all
to God; it is doing the will of our heavenly Father. When
the Children of Israel were camped on the borders of the Promised
Land, it was not enough for them to have a knowledge of Canaan,
or to sing the songs of Canaan. This alone would not bring
them into possession of the vineyards and olive groves of
the good land. They could make it theirs in truth only by
occupation, by complying with the conditions, by exercising
living faith in God, by appropriating His promises to themselves,
while they obeyed His instruction.
"Religion
consists in doing the words of Christ; not doing to earn God's
favor, but because, all undeserving, we have received the
gift of His love. Christ places the salvation of man, not
upon profession merely, but upon faith that is made manifest
in works of righteousness. Doing, not saying merely, is expected
of the followers of Christ. It is through action that character
is built. 'As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are
the sons of God' (Romans 8:14). Not those whose hearts are
touched by the Spirit, not those who now and then yield to
its power, but they that are led by the Spirit, are the sons
of God.
"Do
you desire to become a follower of Christ, yet know not how
to begin? Are you in darkness and know not how to find the
light? Follow the light you have. Set your heart to obey what
you do know of the word of God. His power, His very life,
dwells in His word. As you receive the word in faith, it will
give you power to obey. As you give heed to the light you
have, greater light will come. You are building on God's word,
and your character will be built after the similitude of the
character of Christ.
"Christ,
the true foundation, is the living stone; His life is imparted
to all that are built upon Him. 'You also, as living stones,
are being built up a spiritual house' (1 Peter 2:5), 'In whom
the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy
temple in the Lord' (Ephesians 2:21). The stones become one
with the foundation; for a common life dwells in all. That
building no tempest can overthrow; for 'That which shares
the life of God, with Him survives all.' "--Thoughts
From The Mount Of Blessing, pp., 149, 150.
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