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.
Matthew 7:27, KJV
A CONTRAST OF TWO CLASSES
In Matthew 7:13-27, Jesus contrasts two classes of people. These people appear outwardly similar in some ways but have two very different outcomes in the end. The comparisons are as follows:
Those on the narrow way contrasted with those on the broad way.
Good trees with good fruit contrasted with corrupt trees having evil fruit.
Those who enter the kingdom of heaven contrasted with those who hope to enter but are not permitted to do so.
Those who build upon rock contrasted with those who build upon sand.
Those who hear His sayings and do (obey) them contrasted with those who hear His sayings and disregard (disobey) them.
All are on a way that they hope leads to life.1 All are trees2 bearing some sort of fruit. All profess belief in the Lord Jesus.3 All have heard the word of God and truth.4 With these things in mind, you might say that all bear the title of “Christian.” Thus, Jesus is not talking about believers and unbelievers here, but exclusively believers.
Yet there is a solemn warning in the distinction between these two classes of Christians.
Those on the broad way go to destruction.5
Those bearing evil fruit are cast into fire.6
Many saying “Lord, Lord” are denied heaven.7
Those who build upon the sand, and don’t follow after the truth they have seen and heard, fall with a great fall that is agitated by winds of strife and difficulty.8
OBSERVATIONS OF THE PROGRESSION
Who are those on the broad way? They are those which have been deceived through following false prophets.
Who are those following false prophets? Those who bring forth evil fruit rather than good.
Who are those who bring forth evil fruit? Those who call upon the name of Jesus and yet are called by Him as those “that work iniquity.” (or lawlessness; that work against law)
Who are those that work iniquity? Those that have heard a word of truth and reject it to follow after their own inclinations or the traditions and theories of men over the word of God.
PERSONAL OBJECT LESSON
Recently, I experienced a visual manifestation of Jesus’ analogy of them that build upon the sand as well as His description of how wind blew and beat upon their house until it had a great fall.
A shed that I had erected just over a month ago was toppled and destroyed after a storm brought in high winds that beat violently against it. Adding even more connection to Jesus’ analogy is the fact that, although anchored, the shed was indeed built directly upon the ground / dirt.
After the storm, I looked at the end result of the now destroyed shed and immediately thought of the object lesson related to this parable. I shuddered at the thought of the end of all those who hear the commandments, teachings, principles, and truths of God, only to disregard them and make shipwreck of their faith.9 It is a dangerous and treacherous road which exalts unbiblical traditions, theories, and teachings of men over the plain, pure commandments of God.10
“The statutes of the LORD [Jehovah] are right, rejoicing the heart: The commandment of the LORD [Jehovah] is pure, enlightening the eyes.” (Psalm 19:8, KJV)
Truly, we are not saved by our works.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9, KJV)
However, willful disobedience to the teachings of scripture11 is never presented in the Bible as something that is simply overlooked or that can be lightly regarded. Our works of obedience are a reflection, result, and evidence of our conversion as well as a manifestation of our love for God and for Jesus.12
“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” (James 2:17–18, KJV)
During times of peace, ease, comfort, and tranquility (when there is no storm), the two houses (classes of Christians) looked the same. The distinction between the two classes of people was brought forth only through times of war, strife, and great difficulty. Before Christ returns, the world will be agitated through these things and more. When these times come, only then will it be seen whose foundation is upon the rock and whose is upon the sand.
PRAYER
May God help us to be lovers of truth13 and to obey every Biblical truth that He tries to bring into our lives. May He help us to walk the narrow way, bring forth good fruits, and build upon the Rock through our obedience, that we may enter through the gates into the city and have right to the tree of life.
“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” (Revelation 22:14, KJV 1900)
God Bless,
Charles
SCRIPTURE INDEX
