Each of us has been assigned the serious task of building a character. The time for accomplishing this project is not ours to choose; our only option is now. But how we build, and what we build are our responsibility.
How may we build so that our structure may outlast the ravages of time and decay? As the psalmist said, “As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation” (Prov. 10:25) All other fabric, substance or quality comes to an end.
Before Jesus concluded His sermon on the mount, He gave His hearers-and us-a very direct lesson in building (Matt. 7:24-27.) According to our Lord, how one builds and the materials one uses have a direct bearing on the durability of the structure. In his parable He places all who hear the word of Life in one of two categories: 1) Wise builders or 2) foolish builders. Those who hear the word and practice what they hear are like “a wise man” who “builds his house upon a rock,” the solid foundation of knowledge and application. Such a one does not content himself with listening. He actually believes. He actually repents. He actually ceases to do evil and learns to do well. He actually abhors the evil and cleaves to the good. He is a doer as well as a hearer of the word (Jas. 1:22)
What is the result? Jesus’ parable moves quickly to the end of the matter, the inevitable time of testing. “And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and” - what happened? “It fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.” In the time of trial a faith grounded solidly in obedience to the word of God does not fail. Let the floods of sorrow, disappointment, suffering and loss, even the test of the final judgment beats upon him: his faith does not waver. His foundation is secure. His faith-structure may have cost him a high price in sacrifice and discipline, but it now proves worth the cost.
What about the other builder, the man who hears but never gets beyond hearing? He, says Jesus, is like “a foolish man which built his house upon sand.” He satisfies himself with learning about the faith, and mentally approves it, but he goes no further. He consoles himself that he has feelings, convictions and desires of a spiritual nature, but he never breaks off his old sins. He never lets go the spirit of the world. He never really makes the hope of Christ his own. He is a hearer, and nothing more.
What is the durability of the structure he builds? In the time of testing, it breaks down completely. When the waves beat high and the winds roar and beat upon that house of character, it falls, and it is a great fall. (Matt. 7:24-27).
So shall each of us be tested for how well or how poorly we have built. Will our building stand the test and storms that are sure to come? Are we one who hears and obeys?
Each of us is responsible for the structure he erects. Only that which is supremely good shall remain.
What materials shall we put into our building? The one who drew the plans wants—and will have—only the best thoughts, the best actions, the best feelings. He is looking for highest quality—unruffled patience, uncompromising integrity, unwavering faith, unfeigned love. Every piece must consist of “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is p[leasing, whatever is commendable,” anything of “excellence,” “anything worthy of praise.” (Phil. 4:8, NIV). He wants those enduring stones of sincere purpose, dead earnest effort, strong determination to do right. When the great building Inspector looks over our structure, He will see if we have used anything shoddy, anything second rate, anything not exactly according to His specifications. And if our structure does not meet with His approval, it will be condemned.
When is the time to build? Right now is not one moment too soon. Foe this building is not the work of a day, a weeks, or a year. The undertaking demands a total commitment of every moment that is allotted us, an amount unknown and unknowable. But the unknowns need not concern us. Our duty is to “Redeem the time, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:15-16). In other words, seize every opportunity and turn it to the greatest possible good.
With every contact, every action, every thought, every feeling, we are building our character. What is its form? Is it according to the pattern God has provided? Will it stand the test of time? Are we building for eternity—or for the moment?
Every day, every hour we are building; and how? How are we building, you and I? How many of the interests that get our first attention will stand the test of eternity?
This is the time to build. We have no time to lose in secondary interest. By any means we choose to measure it, time is short—too short for any superfluous interest; too short for any idleness or selfish gain. The early Christians felt that their time was short; and indeed it was, no longer than the length of their lifetimes, perhaps shorter if they were caught in the throes of fierce persecution. For us, too, the time is short, as short as the length of our lives. It is only God’s grace which prevents us knowing how short our time may be. The sooner we realize this sobering fact, the sooner we will learn to live realistically, keeping a just sense of proportion about our joys and sorrows and trusting all to the God from whom we come and to whom we must give account.
How may we build so that our structure may outlast the ravages of time and decay? As the psalmist said, “As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation” (Prov. 10:25) All other fabric, substance or quality comes to an end.
Before Jesus concluded His sermon on the mount, He gave His hearers-and us-a very direct lesson in building (Matt. 7:24-27.) According to our Lord, how one builds and the materials one uses have a direct bearing on the durability of the structure. In his parable He places all who hear the word of Life in one of two categories: 1) Wise builders or 2) foolish builders. Those who hear the word and practice what they hear are like “a wise man” who “builds his house upon a rock,” the solid foundation of knowledge and application. Such a one does not content himself with listening. He actually believes. He actually repents. He actually ceases to do evil and learns to do well. He actually abhors the evil and cleaves to the good. He is a doer as well as a hearer of the word (Jas. 1:22)
What is the result? Jesus’ parable moves quickly to the end of the matter, the inevitable time of testing. “And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and” - what happened? “It fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.” In the time of trial a faith grounded solidly in obedience to the word of God does not fail. Let the floods of sorrow, disappointment, suffering and loss, even the test of the final judgment beats upon him: his faith does not waver. His foundation is secure. His faith-structure may have cost him a high price in sacrifice and discipline, but it now proves worth the cost.
What about the other builder, the man who hears but never gets beyond hearing? He, says Jesus, is like “a foolish man which built his house upon sand.” He satisfies himself with learning about the faith, and mentally approves it, but he goes no further. He consoles himself that he has feelings, convictions and desires of a spiritual nature, but he never breaks off his old sins. He never lets go the spirit of the world. He never really makes the hope of Christ his own. He is a hearer, and nothing more.
What is the durability of the structure he builds? In the time of testing, it breaks down completely. When the waves beat high and the winds roar and beat upon that house of character, it falls, and it is a great fall. (Matt. 7:24-27).
So shall each of us be tested for how well or how poorly we have built. Will our building stand the test and storms that are sure to come? Are we one who hears and obeys?
Each of us is responsible for the structure he erects. Only that which is supremely good shall remain.
What materials shall we put into our building? The one who drew the plans wants—and will have—only the best thoughts, the best actions, the best feelings. He is looking for highest quality—unruffled patience, uncompromising integrity, unwavering faith, unfeigned love. Every piece must consist of “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is p[leasing, whatever is commendable,” anything of “excellence,” “anything worthy of praise.” (Phil. 4:8, NIV). He wants those enduring stones of sincere purpose, dead earnest effort, strong determination to do right. When the great building Inspector looks over our structure, He will see if we have used anything shoddy, anything second rate, anything not exactly according to His specifications. And if our structure does not meet with His approval, it will be condemned.
When is the time to build? Right now is not one moment too soon. Foe this building is not the work of a day, a weeks, or a year. The undertaking demands a total commitment of every moment that is allotted us, an amount unknown and unknowable. But the unknowns need not concern us. Our duty is to “Redeem the time, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:15-16). In other words, seize every opportunity and turn it to the greatest possible good.
With every contact, every action, every thought, every feeling, we are building our character. What is its form? Is it according to the pattern God has provided? Will it stand the test of time? Are we building for eternity—or for the moment?
Every day, every hour we are building; and how? How are we building, you and I? How many of the interests that get our first attention will stand the test of eternity?
This is the time to build. We have no time to lose in secondary interest. By any means we choose to measure it, time is short—too short for any superfluous interest; too short for any idleness or selfish gain. The early Christians felt that their time was short; and indeed it was, no longer than the length of their lifetimes, perhaps shorter if they were caught in the throes of fierce persecution. For us, too, the time is short, as short as the length of our lives. It is only God’s grace which prevents us knowing how short our time may be. The sooner we realize this sobering fact, the sooner we will learn to live realistically, keeping a just sense of proportion about our joys and sorrows and trusting all to the God from whom we come and to whom we must give account.
