Come, Hear, Do

The wise man built his house upon the rock… The wise man built his house upon the rock…

This beloved little children’s song recalls the parable of the “Two Builders” in Matt 7 and the “Two Foundations” in Luke 6. On the surface, and rightly so, it seems to be a lesson about choosing to build your life based on the right things, the things of God. On closer examination, you will find it to be a lesson on obedience, and that obedience is what makes the “wise man” wise.

Luke 6:46 “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? (NKJV)

In both Matthew and Luke, Jesus was in the middle of teaching the multitudes about “life”: how to live, how to act, how to think. Not in a robotic way, but by hearing what God said, and obeying it. He then points out the obvious problem with claiming Jesus as Lord, but not obeying what He taught. It doesn’t make any sense to proclaim Christ as Master, but not obey Him.

So Jesus puts it in terms that even the most hard-headed person can understand (emphasis mine):

Luke 6:47 Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: (NKJV)

Comes, hears, does…. that breaks it down to the “no excuses” level. I can’t claim ignorance or misunderstanding. Come, hear, do. Pretty simple. Perfect for lame-brained guys like me. If I “come, hear and do” I will be like the wise man, not the foolish man:

Matthew 7:24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: (NKJV)

Maybe it was just me, but I always understood the song and the parable to be about wise choices – choosing God over the world; which of course, it is. But, more accurately, it is a parable about obedience; that those who choose to OBEY are wise and build their house on the “rock”, a good and strong foundation that can withstand the storms of life.

Obedience is the ingredient of wise foundation building.

If you want to stand firm in the face of trials and adversity, then set your mind to “hear and obey” the things of God. In contrast:

• The foolish man comes to Jesus
• The foolish man hears Jesus
• The foolish man even calls Jesus “Lord”

But the foolish man does not do the one thing that will make him wise… he doesn’t obey. It is most certain that any areas of your life that are out of fellowship with God will find roots (foundation!) in disobedience.

• Men, is your spiritual life suffering? Are you without any HINT of sexual impurity in your thoughts, words and actions? (1Thess 4.3) If not, disobedience is hindering you spiritually.
• Ladies, is your spiritual life suffering? Is every word that proceeds from your mouth wholesome and edifying without complaint or gossip? (Eph 4.29) If not, disobedience is hindering you spiritually.
• Men, do you honor your wife, prefering her over yourself in honor so that your prayers won’t be hindered? (1Pet 3.7) If not, disobedience has you on shaky ground.
• Ladies, do you honor your husband in quiet submissiveness, cherishing the role and responsibilities of a Godly wife? (1Pet 3.1-6) If not, disobedience is ruining your foundation.

You see, obedience is always the prime indicator of true salvation (James & 1John) because the final step of true Godly commitment is obedience. Words without obedient action are simply that: words. No, your obedience does not SAVE you; the atoning blood of Jesus Christ is the only thing that actually saves. However, your obedience to His commands is the visible evidence, proof and authentication that you have truly believed and turned to Him as your true Lord, Savior and Master.

Come, hear, then do. Christianity in a nutshell.

Remember Jesus’ words…. whoever COMES to me, HEARS my sayings and DOES them…. builds a good foundation. Come, hear and do. Three words that would revolutionize and transform our lives if we lived by them diligently.

Lord, Help us come near to You, hear what You say, and then do it. Help us to recognize those areas where we have heard, but stopped short of doing Your will. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.