Matthew 7:24
Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.
Today we find Jesus in Matthew 7 talking to his followers about how hard it is to get into Heaven. He talks about the narrow gate, judging others and then goes into talking about doing holy and pious things. Many of us talk a good game, but do we really follow with actions. We are quick to pray for victims of gun violence, natural disasters or racial injustice (see twitter/facebook). It is right that we should pray for peace and resolution to these situations. Yet we are called to do more. What are we doing about it? What are you doing about it? This is some of what Jesus is talking about. It's great that we pray and do the pious things in the church; but we are also called to stretch our faith, to move beyond our comfort zones to help other people. In churches across our country, we see declining numbers in the pews. We are told, and we believe, that we are called to evangelize, to bring others to Christ. We all cry out for this, yet, when was the last time you brought, or even invited your neighbor, friend or coworker to church with you? This is but one of the areas Jesus is talking about as it relates to us today. Jesus didn't just say, "Everyone who listens will be like a wise man." He added, "…listens AND ACTS ON THEM, will be like a wise man…" Actions speak louder than words.
