 Christ told the story of building a house to symbolize building our life, character, or soul. Matthew 7:24-27 and Luke 14:25-33. Irrespective of wealth, intelligence, or faith in God, the house built would face unavoidable storms. The outcome, stand or fall, depends on the choice we make for its foundation.
Christ described two types of foundations. A strong and solid one depends on listening to and following Him. A weak foundation is one listening to His teachings but not following Him. Note that the person is not good or bad, but wise or foolish. Make our decision wisely, soberly, and not emotionally. Luke 14:25-33. Having said that, similar to getting married or having kids, be comfortable that we couldn’t be absolutely certain with our choices. Count the cost of following Him. It could imply laying down our ego, control, reputation, or certain habits, preferences, relationships, attitudes, or behaviors. Count the cost of not following Him. It could imply a life enslaved by ego, money, image, reputation, or power; living a life of fear and greed; or dying in despair, after living a meaningless life. Count the benefits of following Him: Forgiven of our mistakes through grace from the cross; having God’s guidance and help; living a life with hope and meaning, beyond worry and fear, and not enslaved by money, reputation, sex, safety, or image; or having confidence of life after death. Typically, we don’t choose to be evil or intentionally plan the wrong path. We don’t get married planning to divorce. We don’t go to the office intending to meet someone to have an affair. We don’t have children planning to wreck them. We don’t live our life planning to be greedy, selfish, or a racist. But these things could happen, such as if we make choices entirely based on how we feel. Do we follow ourselves or God? Learn from Christ and follow Him. We may not be good disciples, like the original ones, at least initially. Just try to understand and follow Him. Anyway, choose wisely. Our life depends on the choices we make for our foundation. Summary of a sermon by John Ortberg https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.menlo.church/Choose-Your-Foundation_Apr2018_jortberg.pdf?mtime=20180504112555 明智地决择我们的根基 基督讲述建造房屋的故事，象征着建造我们的生活，品格或灵魂 （马太福音7：24-27和路加福音14：25-33）。无论财富，智慧或对上帝的信仰如何，那房屋都会面临不能避免的风暴。其结果是持久站立或倒塌, 都取决于我们对基础作出的选择。 基督描述了两种类型的基础。坚固的基础是一个先倾听了然后跟随祂的人。薄弱的基础是听完了祂的教导而又不跟随祂的人。请注意这个人不是好或坏，而是聪明或愚蠢。 我们应该冷静地作出聪明的决定，不能感情用事 （路加福音14：25-33）。 话虽如此，就像结婚或生孩子一样，我们要知道对自己的选择不能有完全的把握。 要数算跟随祂的代价。这可能意味着放下我们的自我，控制权, 声誉或某些习惯，偏爱, 关系，态度或行为。 要数算不跟随祂的代价。这可能意味着一生遭自我，金钱，形象，声誉或权力附上枷锁；过着恐惧和贪婪的生活；或一生徒然后绝望地死去。 要数算跟随祂的益处：通过十字架的恩典我们的错误得到宽恕；得到上帝的指导和帮助；过着不让忧虑控制而是充满希望的生活；摆脱金钱，名誉，性欲，安全或形象的奴役；或对死后的生命有信心。 我们通常不会选择邪恶或故意策划错误的途径。结婚时我们不会打算离婚。我们不会刻意地安排上班时找外遇的机会。我们生孩子不会谋策如何毁了他们。我们不会计划过一个贪婪，自私或种族歧视的生活。但这样的情形都可以发生，如若我们完全依靠自己的情绪来做选择。 我们是跟随我们自己还是跟随上帝？ 向基督学习并跟随祂。 我们可能不是好的门徒，就像原初的那些，至少他们初时不是那么好。 只要尝试领会和跟随祂。 无论如何要做明智的决择。我们的生命依靠着我们为自己的根基作出的决定。 Comments are closed.
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