To Believe in Jesus is to Follow Jesus

24 “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: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” Matthew 7

This passage is often misunderstood. Here is a common interpretation: When the storms of life hit, as a Christian you’ll withstand the storm but if you aren't  watch out!  It’s not that Jesus does not strengthen you as you walk through the storms of life.  However, applied to the context of the passage, this interpretation is incorrect and doesn't fit.

Notice the “therefore” in the beginning of the passage. The “therefore’ connects this passage with the previous passage.  In the previous passage Jesus said that many will be surprised on Judgment Day. Although they called Him Lord they practiced sin, and in the end Jesus denies ever knowing them.  The “therefore” in this passage is saying “because many will be surprised on Judgment Day and cast away from Me, listen to what I am going to say.”

Jesus is comparing those who do and don’t follow His teaching to those who build houses. The person who follows His teaching is like a person who builds on a firm foundation. The person not following Jesus’s teaching is like a person who builds on a soft pliable foundation. Both houses may look beautiful and may appear to hold up.  But a day will come when the foundation will be revealed. Inevitably the storm comes, and the one on the poor foundation crashes to ruin.

One day the Lord will judge the hearts of men. The ones who followed Jesus will stand. The ones who didn’t follow Jesus will fall, and their fall will be great.

This does not teach salvation by works. Salvation is by grace and comes by believing in Jesus. However, when a person believes and Jesus says “follow Me,” those who truly believe in their hearts will follow Jesus. Those with a superficial belief and relationship with Jesus may call Him “Lord, Lord,” but will not follow Him.

To believe in Jesus is to follow Jesus. To follow Jesus is to live out His teachings. Decide to follow Jesus.