Built On Obedience

First Christian Church of Chicago
Feb 6
2 min read

Scripture Focus: Matthew 7:24

“Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (NIV)

Devotional Thought

A house can look solid until the storm exposes its weaknesses. Jesus teaches that stability comes not from hearing His words but from living them.

Interpretation

At the close of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus likens the wise person to one who hears Jesus' words from the Sermon on the Mount and puts them into practice, building their life on a solid rock foundation rather than shifting sand. This obedience to Jesus' instruction — embracing his teachings on prayer, trust, love for enemies, and kingdom living — creates stability that withstands life's storms like rain, floods, and winds. The rock symbolizes Jesus himself as the unshakeable base, where mere hearing without action leads to collapse, but faithful doing ensures the house stands firm. Jesus was not offering abstract ideals — He was describing the concrete shape of life in God’s Kingdom: mercy, justice, forgiveness, humility, and trust. Obedience is what gives a life its durability.

Contemporary Relevance

Storms — moral, relational, emotional, spiritual — are unavoidable. What determines whether you stand or collapse is the foundation beneath your life. Scripture shapes that foundation through obedience. The Church cannot be built on admiration for Jesus; it must be built on allegiance expressed through lived faith. Too many would be followers of Jesus say they love Jesus but refuse to obey what he says. When God’s people actually embody His Word, the world sees the wisdom and strength of His Kingdom.