MATTHEW 7:21-2721Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. (Matthew 7:21‑27), compared with LUKE 6:46-4946And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? 47Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will show you to whom he is like: 48He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. 49But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great. (Luke 6:46‑49). Luke 6:4646And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? (Luke 6:46). "And why call ye Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not the things which I say?”
Matthew 7:21-2321Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:21‑23). "Not every one that saith unto Me, ' Lord, Lord,' shall enter into the kingdom of heaven [the heavens]; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven [the heavens]. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, 'I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.'”
Profession and Reality
THE proof of sincerity is the obedience of love. "And hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.
He that saith know Him,' and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth His word, a in Him verily is the love of God perfected" (1 John 2:3-53And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. (1 John 2:3‑5)). This obedience to Christ and subjection to His lordship is a fruit of the Spirit, for "no man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost" (1 Cor. 12:33Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. (1 Corinthians 12:3)). What solemn disclosures the day of Christ will make, when the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is! How much that appeared outwardly fair will prove to be but wood, or hay, or stubble, which the fire will consume (1 Cor. 12:12, 1312For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:12‑13)). How many a splendid reputation for what appeared to be good works, and acceptable doctrine, will turn out to be structures without a foundation, because the works were not done in obedience to Christ, and the doctrines taught were not based upon the Word and the will of God!
Matthew 7:2424Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: (Matthew 7:24). "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings [words] of Mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise [prudent] man, which build his house upon a rock [the rock].”
Luke 6:47, 4847Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will show you to whom he is like: 48He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. (Luke 6:47‑48). "Whosoever cometh to Me, and heareth My sayings [words], and doeth them, I will show you to whom he is like; he is like a man which build a house, and digged deep [who digged and went deep], and laid the foundation on a rock [the rock].”
1st. THE BUILDER.—He that cometh to Christ, heareth the words of Christ, and puts them in practice, who is "not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work" (James 1:2525But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. (James 1:25)); not simply a believer on, but a disciple and follower of, Christ.
2nd. THE HOUSE.—An expression of large signification. It applies to whatever is built up, whether as regards faith or the doctrines believed, hopes and expectations, whether for time or eternity.
3rd. THE PREPARATION FOR BUILDING.—The builder exercises prudence, and this prudence is shown by his digging and going deep. He will not build his faith or rest his hopes on anything fallible, uncertain, or liable to change; not on the doctrines or opinions of men, the conclusions of human reason, nor the speculations of the ingenious mind, nor on the sublime soaring of a fertile imagination.
4th. THE FOUNDATION.—"Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid which is Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. 3:22I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. (1 Corinthians 3:2)). He builds on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself the chief corner Stone and also the head Stone of the corner.
5th. THE ROCK.—Though closely and immediately connected, the foundation and the rock must not be confounded; the foundation stone is Christ, but the rock on which it rests is the stability and testimony of God Himself. We read in Isaiah 28:1616Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. (Isaiah 28:16), "Therefore thus saith the Lord God [Adonahy Jehovah], Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste,”
It is God who lays the foundation, and He lays it in Zion—the mount which represents the divine sovereignty of grace; and it is Jehovah Himself who is the everlasting rock, according to Isaiah 26:44Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: (Isaiah 26:4): "Trust ye in the Lord (Jehovah) forever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength [for in Jah Jehovah is a rock of ages].”
The foundation on which the soul can build securely for time and eternity is not the Christ of human thought, reason, or imagination, but the Christ of God—the Christ which God reveals to the soul by the teaching of the Holy Spirit. When Peter made his noble confession, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God," Jesus adds, "Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My father which is in heaven... Upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell [hades] shall not prevail against it." The Church is founded upon Christ, and not simply as Son of Man, but as the Son of God; a Christ revealed from the Father by the Holy Spirit. "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Cor. 4:66For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:6)).
Building on Christ.
The faith which builds on Christ, to be the faith of God's elect, must rest for its stability on the testimony of God Himself.
Matthew 7:2525And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. (Matthew 7:25). "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat about [fell upon or dashed against] that house, and it fell not: for it was founded [had been founded] upon a rock [the rock].”
Sooner or later the professed disciple of Christ will be put to the test, either as to his faith, doctrines, hopes, or expectations. The tests are various: "The rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew." Singly they may assail, or unitedly they may combine their forces for a fierce assault. But the faith and hope which rests upon this sure and certain testimony of God to his beloved Son, as contained in the Scriptures of truth, inspired by the Holy Spirit, will stand the test, for God cannot lie—His testimony to faith in Christ is confirmed by an oath—the Scriptures cannot be broken; and the Spirit who inspired them is the Spirit of truth, incapable of misleading or of error.
As suggested by Luke, there may be seasons, whether in the experience of the Church or of individuals, when the faith and hope of the professed believer may be assaulted in an especial and all but overwhelming manner. "A flood arose, the stream beat vehemently." It would appear that at the present time the course and current of popular thought would sweep away, if they could, the very foundations of revealed truth. John writes in his first epistle, second chapter, eighteenth and twentieth verses: "Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that Antichrist shall come, even now are there many Antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.... But ye have an unction [anointing] from the holy One, and ye know all things." "In the last days perilous times shall come." What, then, is the security of the humble believer, even the little child in the faith of Christ? It is the teaching and conviction of the Spirit of truth, the unction or anointing from the holy One which every true believer has received, for "If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His;" as John also says in verses twenty-six and twenty-seven, "These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. But the anointing which ye have received of [from] Him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you; but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in Him." The Holy Spirit, the Comforter, does not speak of or from Himself (John 16:13-1513Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. 14He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. 15All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you. (John 16:13‑15)), He testifies of Christ, and bears witness to the Father's testimony concerning Him. The faith and hope that rest on the foundation, rest securely upon the Rock of Ages, which remains unshaken for time and eternity.
In Luke 6:4848He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. (Luke 6:48), the Authorized version, in accordance with the Textus Receptus; or the Received Greek Text, reads "And could not shake it for it was founded upon a rock," or, more literally, as in the margin of "The Englishman's Bible," "And was not able to shake it: for it had been founded upon the rock." But there is another Greek reading which has been adopted in the text of the Revised Version, "And could not shake it: because it has been well builded.”
The facts of the case are these: In favor of the reading "For it has been founded upon the rock," are the manuscripts ACDEHKMSUVXTΛΙΙ; for the other reading, "Because it has been well builded," are manuscripts Aleph ΒΙ. My own conviction, founded on a careful investigation of the subject is that these last named manuscripts, although preferred by the revisers, are quite unworthy of the confidence reposed in them. They are, in fact, copies made about the 4th century, when the professing Church was leavened with Arius, and contain the most serious errors and omissions.
The Best Test of Scripture
He is a hearer, but not a doer, beholding his face in the glass, but forgetting (Jas. 1:23, 2423For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. (James 1:23‑24)). Such profess to have faith, but have no works to show for it (Jas. 2:14-2614What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. 19Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (James 2:14‑26)). They are foolish virgins holding the lamp in the hand, but having no oil in the vessel (Matt. 15.). Such have the form of godliness, but are destitute of its power (2 Tim. 3:55Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (2 Timothy 3:5)). Their faith, doctrines, hopes, and expectations rest on the opinions of men, the deductions of reason, the traditions of the elders, the various thoughts of individuals, who claim the right of the exercise of private judgment opinions innumerable as the sands of the sea-shore, and, like them, variable, shifting, and altering with every tide—taking the character of the age, and varying with the fluctuation and advance of human thought. There are persons whose religious opinions are modified by the denomination to which they belong, or the school of doctrine in which they have been educated. And this is a foundation which is human rather than divine; faith standing in the wisdom of men rather than in the power of God.
Doctrines in themselves cannot save; it is not so much what we believe, but Whom we believe. Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. This is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent" (John 17:33And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. (John 17:3)). A rope thrown to a drowning man may be clutched, and go to the bottom with him unless there be a strong arm at the other end of it. The anchor of the soul is the promise and oath of God connected with the person and work of Christ. Historical facts or doctrinal truths may be received, but it is the Spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing. "Being born again of the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever." Abstract truth will not sanctify; it is God who sanctifies through His own word, and by His Holy Spirit, and it is God who begets again to a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. That faith and hope which does not rest on the firm testimony of God by the Holy Spirit, rests on a foundation which is earthly, and not heavenly—temporal, and not eternal.
That superstructure of faith, doctrine, or hopes which rests upon the deductions or opinions resulting from the exercise of individual judgment, tradition, or human authority, when subjected to a rigorous test, being destitute of a divine basis of support, sooner or later must fall. This is the secret of the downgrade movement of the present day. The stream is now beating vehemently. Generally the first cardinal truth which is questioned is that of eternal judgment (Heb. 6:22Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. (Hebrews 6:2)); then follow the inspiration of Scripture, the fall of man, the doctrine of the atonement, the divinity of Christ, the personality of the Holy Spirit, and the doctrine of the Trinity; and the final result is infidelity, atheism, or agnosticism. The stream of popular opinion with the strong overwhelming current will be succeeded by "the swellings of Jordan;" and how fearful the ruin when the soul passes into eternity with nothing to sustain it, to sink into an abyss that knows no bottom, throughout an eternity which has no end.
And in the history of the world a period is coming, forcibly described by the prophet Isaiah (chap. 28:17, 18, 22): "Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to Me plummet and Me hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and Me waters shall overflow Me hiding place.... When the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.... For I have heard from Adonahy Jehovah of Hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth." (See the whole chapter.)