Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house upon the foundational rock (Matthew 7:24).
The wise man builds his house on a solid foundation that does not shift due to rain, floods, and wind (Matthew 7:25). The Jews who hear Christ’s words are likened to this wise man because the foundation of their faith is upon truth, not the traditions taught by the Pharisees and Sadducees. Jesus uses a specific word for hearing that implies one who hears and responds. James uses another word for hearing that describes a person who listens without acting on what he hears (James 1:22). This one is like a man looking in a mirror who immediately forgets what type of man he is as soon as he goes away (James 1:23–24). Since the one hearing Jesus’ words does so with a hearing ear, he will then practice His words.
On the other hand, the fool builds his house upon the sand. This is the one who hears the words but does not do them (Matthew 7:26). Jesus uses the same word indicating hearing and responding, but this time the person does not do His words. These men take Jesus’ words and impose a different meaning on them. Even today, many in the churches misuse the Sermon on the Mount. They ignore that Jesus is speaking to the Jews about the Kingdom of the Heavens while allegorizing His words to apply them as a means of righteousness for Christians.
Those who listen but do not do may still respond; however, not out of faith. Because their faith is not on solid ground, it shifts with every wind of teaching by the trickery of men (Matthew 7:27).
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus does not redefine or explain the Mosaic Law. He clearly states that not one tittle or jot will be removed from the law (Matthew 5:17–18). The rules of His kingdom are not related to the Mosaic Law, for those in His kingdom will be held to a higher standard (Matthew 13:41). The Mosaic Law is logical (Romans 7:14). Under the Mosaic Law, anyone committing adultery would be put to death (Leviticus 20:10). Under the Kingdom Law, because God’s law is written on their hearts, they are held liable for the determination to commit adultery. Out of an act of mercy, in His kingdom, Christ will permit the Jew who violates His law to remove the body part that was involved in the offense so that his whole body is not also cast into the lake of fire (Matthew 5:29). The man under that Mosaic law is liable for sin, whereas the man under the Kingdom law is liable for his trespass. These are not the same; thus, the Mosaic Law is not modified but brought to completion so that a new covenant can be made with Israel, in which God’s law is written on their hearts (Jeremiah 31:31–34).
Those who take Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount and manipulate them for Christian application do not do His words. They are among those whom the apostles and New Testament prophets warned us about: those who have crept in and brought deceptive heresies that deceive the saints (Jude 4; 2 Peter 2:1).
The fool builds his faith on the traditions of men (Colossians 2:8). The wise man’s faith is built on the truth so that he is not tossed around by every wind of teaching by the trickery of men who seek to deceive the saints (1 Corinthians 2:5).
