Building on the Rock: The Power of Obedience
The book of Matthew is filled with important and valuable lessons for the Christian life. And one of the most important teachings found in this gospel is in Matthew 7:20-24, where Jesus talks about the importance of building our spiritual lives on the rock of obedience to God.
In this Bible study, we’re going to explore this important topic in depth, looking at what it means to obey God, how we can build our lives on the rock of obedience, and the benefits this brings to us as Christians.
What is obedience to God?
Before we dive into the importance of building on the rock of obedience, it’s important that we understand what it means to obey God.
The Bible teaches us that obedience is an essential part of the Christian life. In John 14:15 , Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” This means that obedience is an expression of the love we have for God. When we obey God’s commandments, we are demonstrating our love and devotion to Him.
However, obedience is not just about following rules. It’s about an attitude of heart that recognizes God’s authority and sovereignty in our lives. When we obey God, we are saying that we trust in his wisdom and that we recognize that he knows what is best for us.
Obedience to God also involves a life of repentance and humility. When we sin and disobey God, we must be willing to confess our sins and seek His forgiveness. Obedience to God is a path to a life of holiness and transformation.
Building on the Rock
Now that we understand what obedience to God is, let’s turn our attention to the passage in Matthew 7:20-24: “By their fruits you will recognize them. Is it possible for anyone to pick grapes from a thornbush or figs from weeds? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So by their fruits you will recognize them.
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? In your name did we not cast out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell you clearly: I never knew them. Get away from me you who do evil!
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and does them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the rivers overflowed, the winds blew and beat against that house, and it did not fall, because it had its foundations in the rock.” (Matthew 7:20-24)
In this passage, Jesus is comparing two people who build their houses, one on rock and the other on sand. He who builds on rock is called a wise man, and he who builds on sand is called a foolish man.
The metaphor of building on rock is a representation of obedience to God. Those who build their lives on the rock of obedience are building their houses on solid and secure foundations. While those who choose to build their lives on the sands of disobedience are building their homes on shaky and insecure foundations.
Jesus teaches us that building on rock doesn’t just mean listening to His words, but also putting them into practice. Those who hear the words of Jesus and put them into practice are considered wise and prudent, and their lives are built on a solid and secure foundation.
Benefits of Obedience to God
Building our lives on the rock of obedience to God has many benefits for us as Christians. Let’s review some of them:
1. Security and stability
As we saw in the Matthew 7:24 passage, building on the rock brings security and stability. When our lives are built on obedience to God, we are placing our trust on a solid and secure foundation. This means that even when we face storms and difficulties in life, our lives do not fall apart.
2. Communion with God
Obedience to God also allows us to enjoy deeper fellowship with Him. When we are obeying God, we are drawing closer to Him and aligning ourselves with His will. This allows us to experience His presence and His peace in a deeper way.
3. Protection from evil
Obedience to God also protects us against evil. When we obey God, we are moving away from sin and closer to holiness. This makes us less vulnerable to the enemy’s temptations and attacks.
4. Fruitful life
When we build our lives on the rock of obedience to God, we are able to bear good and lasting fruit. It means that our lives have a higher purpose and we are contributing to the Kingdom of God.
How can we build on the rock
Now that we understand the importance of building on the rock of obedience to God, let’s look at how we can do this in our daily lives. Here are some ways to build on the rock:
1. Study the Word of God
To obey God, we need to know what He expects of us. This means that we need to study His Word regularly to understand His will and instructions for us. By studying the Bible, we are equipping ourselves to live according to God’s principles and build our lives on the rock of obedience.
“How can a teenager keep his or her behaviour pure? By living according to your word.” (Psalm 119:9)
2. Pray and seek God
Prayer is a powerful way to connect with God and seek His will for our lives. When we pray and seek God, He gives us the wisdom and guidance we need to make wise decisions and build our lives on the rock of obedience.
“Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)
3. Make Wise Choices
Building on the rock means making wise choices that are in line with God’s will. This means that we need to be careful when making decisions in our daily lives, seeking God’s guidance and considering biblical principles before acting.
“The wise man has eyes that see, but the fool walks in darkness; however, I realized that both have the same fate.” (Ecclesiastes 2:14)
4. Seek help and encouragement from other Christians
Building on rock also means seeking help and encouragement from other Christians. When we are struggling to obey God, we can find support and encouragement in our Christian community. This helps us to remain firm in the faith and continue to build our lives on the rock of obedience.
“So let us not give up meeting together as a church, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another, all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25)
Conclusion
Building our lives on the rock of obedience to God is essential to our lives as Christians. It brings us security, fellowship with God, protection from evil, and a fruitful life. To build on rock, we need to study God’s Word, pray and seek his will, make wise choices, and seek help and encouragement from other Christians.
Let’s remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:24-25 : ′′ Therefore, whoever hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the rivers overflowed, the winds blew and beat against that house, and it did not fall, because it had its foundations in the rock.” May we build our lives on the rock of obedience to God and enjoy the benefits this brings to our Christian lives.
