Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: Matthew 7:24 KJV
The Inspiration:
Jesus was speaking to His disciples, but of course, the crowd was all around him. The crowd is easily distracted by grammar and high-sounding words, but those who will make impact in the world they have been placed in are those who can move from hearing to doing. All through the bible, we see the effect of just hearing, and we also see the effect of doing. The foundation of a life of impact actually starts from hearing. How would you get relevant and updated information if you do not search for it? How would you know what God is saying per time, and for the season you are in, if you do not take the time to listen? The bible makes it clear that 'Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God'. Faith will not hang on the air, but it will attach itself to the foundation of the Truth as laid out by God. What is faith, if God is not involved? What is faith outside the principles of operation laid out by God?
The Contention:
When I hear, I need to act. All of God's word have instructions, doctrines, corrections, teachings or guidance that I have to consider and respond to. This is why the bible also says that 'All Scripture is given by the Inspiration of God'. I may not like what I read or how it is presented, but if I can go back to the Source and Inspiration behind the words, I will get clarity on what the expectations of God for me are, and I can depend on Him for strength to obey promptly. I have to seek all opportunities to hear God's Word. We make excuses for fellowship, claiming we are tired, but no matter how tired we are, we get up to go to work daily. We know there will be dire consequences for not coming to work, but we do not take to heart the opportunities to hear God speak to us. What would I subject all the noise I hear to, if I do not have or know the Truth as laid out by God? God has given me His Word as the standard; everything rises or falls based on what He says.
The Conclusion:
This is why doing is critical. Knowledge is good, but it has to be followed up with understanding and appropriate action. If I know something is a sin, but I do it anyway, I have no excuse. The verse above calls all who do what is in line with God's word WISE. Wisdom is the right application of knowledge and information, whether in times of quality and timing of response, or the right measure for the right issue. There are times when running away, like Joseph did with Potiphar's wife, is wisdom, and there are times when standing for God, like the 3 Hebrew boys, is the wise thing to do. In both instances, men took action based on what they knew about God, and God came through for them. It could also happen that like Stephen, taking a stand for God could cost you something, but with God, no life is a waste if it is spent in obedience to God's Word. The house built on total obedience to God will stand, because it is founded on the immovable foundations of God's Word. God's time of favour is here.
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