During the month of June, we are focusing our attention on planning for the future. In Luke 6:46-49, Jesus shares a parable about building a house as a metaphor for your life. There is a right way and a wrong way to build. If you’re tired of picking up the pieces after every crisis, it may be time to reevaluate how you’re building. Everyone needs to recalibrate to God’s Word periodically.

To recalibrate is to realign our intentions with our actions.

We all go through dry season’s when there is more motion than inspiration. If church attendance is the only spiritual discipline that’s happening right now, it’s time to repent and recalibrate.

THE RIGHT FORMULA

In Luke 6:47, Jesus gives a formula for building a life that will withstand the storms in life.

#1 “Come to me;” relational.

Life begins when we are born-again. Jesus said in John 10:10, that He “came to give life, and life to the full.” Everyone must have a “come to Jesus” moment.

#2 “Hear my words;” verbal.

This command instructs us to position ourselves to learn about God.

“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” Romans 10:14

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”          Romans 10:17

We need to know the Word, study the Word, and be in church hearing God’s Word taught. Knowing the Word is not about information but transformation. It’s not about how much we know but about how much we are transformed by what we know.

#3 “Doing His will;” behavioral.

The purpose of coming to Jesus and hearing His word is to do what He says. Doing is the litmus test of hearing.

Jesus makes a rhetorical statement in verse 46, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” This statement emphasizes that a follower is defined by obedience. Partial obedience is the same as disobedience.

 “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22

Agreement without action is deception. The “doers” of the Word are separated from the hearers of the Word when a crisis shows up. Jesus taught how crisis tests the quality of a life.

In Palestine the soil is very dry, impairing drainage. It creates conditions primed for flash-flooding. Because the ground is hard, some are tempted to build their house on top of that surface.

This “surface” has intended symbolism.

#1 My logic; I know better.

I know what I want and how I want to build my life. I’m a smart person; I will live life my way.

 “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”  Proverbs 14:12

#2 Current Trends, the crowd knows better.

We imitate those who do not know God because they appear happy and successful in life. The world is trying to figure life out. God created everything and wrote the book on life.

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.” Ephesians 5:1

#3 Rebellion, I’m going to do the opposite of what God says.

Rebellion is not based on reason or sound-wisdom but hate. Rebellious people choose to do the opposite of what God says simply because God said it. Like the surface, their hearts become hard towards God.

“How blessed is the man who fears always, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.” Proverbs 24:1

Don’t wait for a crisis to discover that you’re using the wrong formula.

The Right Stuff

Jesus said those that come to Him, hear His words, and does them, is like a man building a house who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock. To be the best man or woman begins with applying God’s Word to your life.

“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” John 6:63

Every decade or so society attempts to exert their influence on the matters of life, convinced they had discovered a better way. History proves that whenever humanity attempts to define what good is and how we should spend our time on earth, it results in an evolution of pain, suffering and greater levels of evil.

God calls us to pick up our cross and follow Him. When we consider eternity, this life is calculable to the time it takes blink our eyes. The Word of God not only transforms us but is leading us to heaven. Build your life on the foundation of God’s Word and withstand every storm that comes your way!