New Apostolic Church
International

In the Sermon on the Mount the Lord Jesus referred to two types of people.

The one accepts the word and acts accordingly. The other also hears it but does not act in accordance with it. And the Lord drew a vivid comparison to two men who each built a house. But there was a difference between them: the wise man erected his house upon a rock. Those who hear the word and act accordingly are like this man. The other – the foolish man – built his house upon the sand. Those who hear the word, but do not heed it and instead live as they please, are like this man. (cf. Matthew 7: 24-27).

This house represents our lives. We lead our lives according to predetermined values and principles, and everyone does so in his or her own way.

We all build our own house, so to speak. Some build their houses upon a rock, meaning they live according to divine principles and standards.

Others, according to this metaphor, build on sand, meaning they do not build on a divine foundation. This gives rise to the following questions.

What are the fundamental values in our lives? What is the foundation upon which we build? What are the values that define our lives? These are important questions, because in the parable it says that when the rain and floods came, and the wind beat upon it, the house on the rock remained secure. But the house which was built upon sand was destroyed.

Whether a house is built upon rock or sand is not immediately evident. Only when storms and floods come, and when rain begins to fall will the difference be noticed. Whether we have built our house upon sand or rock becomes evident when cares and trials arise in our lives. Such circumstances will leave us inconsolable if we have built upon sand. Our lives will then be destroyed and we will have nothing left. But if we have built upon a rock, we can be certain that nothing can destroy our house. Those whose house is built upon rock have the sure hope that they will be worthy on the day of the Lord’s return. Such a house will weather any storm. It will stand forever. Such souls will be with God for all eternity.

Let us be obedient like Abraham, and let us always strive for that which is divine as Jacob did. Let us trust the Lord and keep our windows open toward Jerusalem according to Daniel’s example. May our heavenly Father give us the strength to structure our lives according to these divine principles!

(From a divine service by the Chief Apostle)