There is a short parable in Matthew 7 about the wise man and the foolish man. The lesson is simple. If we hear the words of Jesus and do what He says, we will be like the wise man that had a rock foundation. If we hear the words of Jesus and do not obey Him, we will be like the foolish man who built his house on sand. Sand does not make a strong foundation. When the rain came and the wind blew, the wise man’s house stood; but the foolish man’s house fell.

The question for the Christian is, upon what foundation should I build my life? What should be the basis for everything I believe and do? What will withstand the trials, hardships, and temptations that will inevitably come along in my life on this earth?

My husband and I recently had a conversation about why people are afraid to die. Even those who are Christians become concerned over dying. I think it is often more about the suffering we must endure before we die, or the leaving of loved ones, or the fear of the unknown that creates this fear in humans. I actually think there is another element to a fear of dying. It is a fear that we have not done enough to warrant our entry into heaven. Many people feel that “doing” is the yard stick, so to speak, that God uses to measure our worthiness of getting into heaven. What we need to understand is that doing good deeds is not the ticket that will get us into heaven.

One of the rules of Bible study is to look at the context of the passage you are studying. Such is the case with this short parable in Matthew 7. We need to remember that this is the last of a three-chapter sermon Jesus delivered. In that sermon, Jesus lays out the plan for building our house on the rock.

In chapter 5:

• He speaks about those who will be blessed for having the right attitude.
• He moves on to our example using salt and light.
• He emphasizes the Law and how He has come to fulfill the Law.
• Next He addresses our treatment of ill feelings toward our brother.
• He condemns lust, explains the only reason for divorce, the taking of oaths, and turning the other cheek.
• Next He tells us how to treat our enemies.

In chapter 6:

• Jesus talks about, not just helping the needy, but not elevating ourselves when we do good.
• He teaches about prayer and fasting.
• He condemns our physical desires for earthly possessions and the need to lay up treasures in heaven.
• He admonishes us to be dependent on God supplying our needs.

In chapter 7:

• Jesus shows us the judgment we will receive for judging the motives of our brother.
• He addresses the way in which we should ask things from God.
• He tells us to treat others as we want to be treated.
• He warns of false prophets and how we can identify them.

The next few verses lead us into the parable of the wise and foolish men. The teaching here is about standing in judgment and professing our good works. The key is verse 21. The person that will enter the kingdom is the one who does the will of the Father. The doing is not just good deeds for the sake of doing good deeds. It is doing the commandments God has laid out for us. It is acting when the opportunity presents itself. It is learning what to do to become a child of God, doing it, and living faithfully until death. When we do that, we can say what Paul said. “ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing” (Second Timothy 4:6-8).

 Sandra Oliver