Building a rock-solid faith

Trinity 1: Sunday 29th May 2005

Genesis 6.9-22, 7.24, 8.14-19  |  Romans 1.16-17, 3.22b-28, 29-31  |  Matthew 7.21-29

Partly with the dawn of the internet and the “information age” we live in, we have access to all kinds of information today that we never had before, and we are all becoming experts... You get a medical diagnosis, and you “check it” on the internet... The word of qualified experts is often seen as an opinion; as advice which we may feel free to take or ignore. And in one sense whether we take the advice or not may well depend on how we feel about the one giving it: whether we respect their qualifications, see their wisdom, or trust them.

But sometimes our judgement can get a bit skewed... And when it comes to how we behave, or lifestyle, or attitude formation we often allow ourselves to be influenced by some very strange sources... we end up relying on horoscopes, or superstition, or following slavishly the advice of people who don’t have our best interests at heart...

The gospel contains the instruction of an Expert: what we have before us today is very plain and very straightforward. It’s just not very easy!

Putting words into practice

The story of the wise and foolish builders is basically about not just hearing Jesus’ words, but putting them into practice. You’ve heard the phrase “practice what you preach” - well this is what Jesus is saying to his followers: the theory’s great, but you have to do it! Don’t miss the point: do what you’ve heard.

I think it was GK Chesterton who said “Christianity has not been tried and found wanting: it has been found difficult and left untried!” In one sense Christianity is actually pretty straightforward: but it is difficult! I remember watching a TV programme years ago about God and show business and Adam Faith was interviewed, and he said - obviously in response to a question - “Well, it’s easy to be bad, so I guess yes, it is very difficult to be good...”

Knowing the answers, or some of the facts is one thing: living the lifestyle, “walking the walk”, putting it into practice is something very different!

We know that the speed limit in a built up area is 30 mph... but we’re not always brilliant at sticking to it... We know that we need regular exercise and a sensible diet, but we’re not always brilliant at sticking to it... We know that saying our prayers, reading the scriptures and coming to church are ways of fostering our friendship with God, but we’re not always brilliant at sticking to it...

Listening to the experts

But why should we do what Jesus says? Simply because he knows what he’s talking about: a house with firm foundations will be able to withstand storms; a life whose foundations are sure can stand the test. What is demanded of disciples is obedience. We are to be those who hear and do.

We trust that the life-giver knows what is best and healthful and in our best interests: so we obey the expert.

James in his letter picks up Jesus’ theme when he writes this:

“Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves: do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard but doing it - he will be blessed in what he does”

(James 1.22f)

Fr Andrew J Perry
Rector, St John the Evangelist, Pevensey Rd, St Leonards on Sea