From Matthew 7:24-29 / Hearing the Word of The Lord – As we come to the end of this glorious and most important sermon, Jesus Himself leaves us with the closing admonitions.

And might I say at the outset, that if you are one who seeks to “hear the word of the Lord” – start here. Until you have mastered what He HAS said and preserved for us in His Word, do not occupy your time with trying to hear some esoteric, ethereal or mystical “word.” Know this. Imbibe this. Dwell on this. Ask the Spirit to illuminate this – His Word. Pour over, meditate on, study and steep yourself in the Bible. And you will hear His voice on every page, His breath in every syllable. You will hear more from Him than you will be able to fully digest and live on. You will be full in hearing the Lord.

Note first, true faith, saving faith always has these aspects to it:

a. WHAT is believed. In this case, “these words of mine”. Faith must always and only rest in what we can verify God has actually said, and in His character. Faith is not faith when it is based upon mere desires, hopes, false or imagined information. We must know what God has said.

b. True saving faith is belief that terminates in ACTION – “everyone one who hears these words of mine and DOES them”. Action that is in obedience to “these words of mine” – not whatever they please. It is from this that James can write later: “faith apart from works is dead.” If we truly believe what He has said, then we order our thoughts and actions accordingly. The signal proof of the false professor is the claim of belief without a lifestyle that accords with it.

Note secondly, how hopeless those are who simply have a raw belief which is not connected to their lives. Life will eventually destroy them. According to Jesus, whoever lives today in preparation for the coming judgment and the Kingdom is the wise man. The one who ignores this dynamic, which is the underlying thread in all – will be swept away. Keep your eye on the coming Kingdom, and live today as on a trajectory toward that day. This is the only way to hear and do His words. Living only for today without the reality that Christ is returning and each of us will have to give and answer for our lives – is the height of foolishness. It is like building a house on sand. And when the winds of adversity and indeed, final judgment come, it will not stand.

Note lastly, how secure those are who set their hope in Christ. No matter what comes, they can and will endure. They will endure the same storms that destroy others. And most importantly, they will endure the day of His great wrath – for Christ has already endured it for them; on the cross. With what joy and confidence the one who is in Christ by faith faces the trials and tribulations of life. For we know that all these things are – in comparison to what is the be ours at His return – truly light and momentary afflictions. Circumstances do not define us – Christ defines us, as His, purchased with His blood, and destined for glory in His presence of all eternity.

And all this, He has said with His divine authority to seal it.

O what a great Savior he is!