20160306 Sunday, March 6 2016
Matthew 07: Houses Of Rock Or Sand

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"Whosoever heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a Rock ... Every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand"

The Holy Bible didn't just become Christian at the start of the "New" Testament. The Holy Scriptures have always been Christian because the "LORD God" was and is Jesus Christ (see The Identity Of The LORD God and The LORD God Our Saviour; see also Leviticus 23: The True Christian Holy Days).

As plainly stated in the Holy Scriptures, "that Rock was Christ."

"10:1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 10:2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 10:3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

10:5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 10:6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 10:7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 10:8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 10:9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents." (1 Corinthians 10:1-9 KJV)

In matters of Salvation, the LORD is the sole Judge. Those who presume the power of deliverance or condemnation over others will be Judged accordingly, with less mercy, because they themselves have less mercy (see What Does Mercy Really Mean?).

"7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged. 7:2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

7:3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 7:4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 7:5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye." (Matthew 7:1-5 KJV)

Until the time of repentance is made possible by the Holy Spirit, no one can appreciate the Gospel Truth ("8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." Romans 8:7 KJV). Until then (see The Eighth Day: Living Waters), the Messiah's analogy of "pearls before swine" will be the result.

"7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you." (Matthew 7:6 KJV)

Righteous prayer will be answered, while unrepentant prayer will go unheard (see When Does God Listen To Prayer?). The LORD does not facilitate or bless arrogant and unrepentant behavior (see How To Pray: 12 Biblical Principles Of Personal Prayer).

"7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 7:8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

7:9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 7:10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." (Matthew 7:7-12 KJV)

The distinction between "strait" and "straight" (see Strait And Straight) is guided by the beacon of Truth that defines true right and true wrong (see Which Way Is Right And Left?).

"7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." (Matthew 7:13-14 KJV)

False prophets have been known since the Garden of Eden when Satan falsely prophesied that the first humans would not die if they rebelled against the LORD (see Where Did True and False Prophets Originate?). But they did thereafter die for their corruption.

"7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (Matthew 7:15-23 KJV)

Eternal life, in which those saved will be "at home with the LORD," will happen only for those who build their spiritual house upon the Rock - that has always been Jesus Christ.

"7:24 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: 7:25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 7:26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 7:27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

7:28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 7:29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes." (Matthew 7:24-29 KJV)

Fact Finder: What is the Biblical term for fraudulent and misleading "righteousness"?
See Iniquity In History And Prophecy