John 9:39 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.

To continue in the same vein as yesterday, let me lead you to an understanding of making sure one is on a firm foundation, upon the immoveable rock, before beginning to erect your house.

Ending with a verse that implies that there are false teachers out there is only part of the warning. What if your understanding about the foundation has cracks in it? The foundation is everything in a build. So at the onset, an examination of ones teachings, instructions and beliefs is critical. If your understanding of the foundations are not fully embraced and true, any teaching, whether from a false teacher or a true teacher render an unstable structure.

What differs from a person of faith listening and believing a false teaching from a person of unbelief hearing the truth without faith to lead them in truth? Both would receive a faulty structure for their efforts.

1 Timothy 1:5 (NASB)

 But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

Agape love is pure, foundational, and perfect in every way. The instruction spoken of here is given to release that love to perform its perfect work in the building of the house. Every foundational truth not only gives support to the structure, but is rooted and grounded in it.

Ephesians 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

Working its way into every part of the structure.

Ephesians 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Matthew 7

²⁴ Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

²⁶ And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

Our life group just completed a study on faith. Next year as we gather again we will be studying doctrine. I have suggested that we look at doctrine from a framework which is based from these verses. The reason I do so is because of faith. In verse 24 and 26 both hearers heard the Word. What defined their foundations, since both received instruction, teaching, which is the definition of doctrine, has to be related directly to doing or not doing. Faith is hearing, believing and doing.

If you could see a house as being security, cover, perhaps even a sanctuary, then both men are building what they believe to be protection from the elements. This would be supported by surrounding verses speaking about rain, floods and heat. So both men are building houses. One builds with faith, one not so much.

The man who builds upon sand, where does he get his design, his blue print for construction? Since it is seen without faith, then would not his instructions be false? Once again we return to the issue of instruction, doctrine. Is this not false doctrine?

2 Peter 2

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. …

But….. to be continued