Foundation of Obedience

(Luke 6:46-49 NASB20) "Now why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them, I will show you whom he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when there was a flood, the river burst against that house and yet it could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who has heard and has not acted accordingly is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation; and the river burst against it and it immediately collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great."

• Jesus is telling them, “Don’t call me Lord (master) unless you are going to not only hear what I say but obey it.”
• He gives us the story of two builders who build houses. One with a foundation and one without. Doing what Jesus commands us to do gives a foundation for our walk. Not obeying will cause us to walk (stumble) without a foundation.

This is just a little illustration that the Lord put into my spirit… the building facts came from gwsmasonry.com, the comparisons are from The Holy Spirit of God. 

The Importance of a Foundation: (Imagine the parallels in the spiritual realm.)

The foundation is what supports your home and bears the weight. Without a solid base underneath, it can settle unevenly and it’s only a matter of time until you experience some serious damage to the structure. The foundation is also one of the areas of your home that needs to be done right the first time because if something goes wrong during the construction, it’s not always easy to fix. Here are a few purposes of the foundation:

• Bears the Weight: Its primary purpose is to hold your house up. Without it, your house would quickly sink into the ground unevenly, resulting in cracks and damage to your home. A properly built foundation will keep the home even and supported, even during a flood or earthquake.
  • Imagine the house is your relationship with Jesus; the different rooms in this house are the different aspects of your relationship; and your obedience is the foundation. For instance, your worship is one room, your prayer life another, Bible study is another, service is another. Life can get heavy and without the foundation of obedience you can begin to neglect one or more of these “rooms” and the house will settle unevenly causing cracks and damage.
• Resists Movement: Natural forces are always at work. Soil moisture levels frequently change, temperature fluctuations impact the soil conditions, tectonic plates move below, and water tables can be altered below your home at any time. If your home is not anchored to a foundation, it can crack, break apart or even be washed away by the natural forces at work. A sturdy foundation can resist any seasonal movement that happens below and around your home. It will transfer the structure’s load to the underlying soil or rock to prevent excess settlement or movement.
  • The natural forces in this scenario are the daily battles and life’s tragedies. When you live a life obedient to The Word, that foundation actually transfers the weight of those battles and tragedies to “the Rock” (Jesus) of your foundation (your obedience). He carries the load for you so that your house (relationship) will never move, therefore, it receives no damage.
• A Thermal Shield: It’s not just a structural component; it’s a thermal fortress. This foundational layer offers more than just strength; it provides critical insulating properties that keep the warmth in and the cold out. Imagine the basement, often the coldest part of the house, becoming a warm and inviting space. Proper insulation of your foundation does just that, and the benefits are twofold: enhanced comfort and substantial savings on heating costs.
  • This foundation of obedience is a thermal shield to your relationship with the Lord. It insulates this house against the dangers of becoming cold. Obedience helps to keep the fire for the Lord (heat) in and the cold (a stagnant and lukewarm spirit) out of your house. Your relationship with Jesus will be warm and inviting to others around you.
• Keeps Moisture Out: Moisture can quickly weaken and compromise your home’s structure. When water collects around your home from rain and snow, it saturates the soil. The foundation forms a formidable barrier against moisture infiltration. By effectively keeping water and moisture at bay, you will keep your home free of any toxic mold and structural damage.
  • The moisture in this illustration is your spiritual compromise. The toxic mold is sin. If you allow the moisture of compromise to dwell in your relationship with God, it will eventually grow into sin which is toxic and deadly. When you are obedient to the Word of God this foundation keeps compromise out of your heart and relationship.
• Prevents Insect Infiltration: A strong and contained foundation will keep all the bugs and critters out of your home that live under the soil. It will also separate the wood framing from the termites on the ground that can wreak havoc. Without the proper foundation, your house will be vulnerable to insects that can cause some serious damages.
  • You guessed it; the bugs, critters, and termites are the principalities, powers, and rulers of darkness of this world. The Word says to submit to God (obey), resist the devil and he will flee. It is hard to resist the devil if you are not in obedience to God first. So, with this solid foundation (obedience) your relationship with God (your house) is protected and the bugs, critters, and termites can’t cause that serious damage.

May we ever be obedient to the Word of God. The Bible tells us in:

(1 Samuel 15:22 NASB20) Samuel said, "Does the LORD have as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than a sacrifice, and to pay attention is better than the fat of rams."

May the Lord bless and keep you; make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May He lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.