Sunday, August 3, 2014

Lord of the Fountain
Lord of the Foundation

Jack Davis

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.” Luke 6:45-49

The Lord is one who is honored over and above all. As regards His Lordship, there should be a consistency in what He is saying and what we are doing. If He really is our Lord, what He says is very important to us. We will search out by prayer and study, to fully know His will. Do we proclaim Him Lord by what we do? ‘Lord, help us to have a balance that is true. May our lips acknowledge You as Lord when we pray: and in our lives may we not ignore Your Word, but obey.’

The Lord looks for lives that pray. He said, “Men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.” He so loves to have us obey. He said, “Follow Me,” and “walk in love.” He then gives us lives that pray; lives that are profitable and fruitful for us, and unto Him tomorrow and today.

Our hearts are meant to be good treasures, open to the Word of the Lord. We are to be receptive to His good and faithful saying. It is good for us to let His enriching life-giving Word sink down deep, and take lodging in our hearts, David said, “Thy Word have I hid in mine heart.” The Apostle Paul said, “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly.”

We are also to send forth that which is good, beneficial, and enriching to others. We only do good, because of the good that He has placed in our hearts. The real good that flows from our mouth is of the overflow with which He has filled our hearts. So Jesus says, in essence, “PRACTICE WHAT YOU PRAY.” When you say, “Lord,” let Him be Lord. When He is really Lord, we give forth from a good fountain.

Then Jesus likens our coming to Him and hearing His Word and acting upon it, to building a good foundation – Luke 6:47-49. He would be our stay. In building a house upon the earth, Jesus is speaking of a life that follows the dictates of our fleshly nature. Such only can produce that which can be easily shaken, being without good foundation or durable substance. It is spiritually very shallow. If you have not acted upon the Word or experienced it, how secure can you be on His promises?

“Digged deep” speaks to me of the deeper, hidden, inner, secret life that we may enjoy – a relationship of becoming established “in Christ.” The saint’s security is in being rooted and grounded “in Him” against any torrent of trouble. He would be our stay in life’s most severe test, no matter how vicious the onslaughts of adversity.

“Not every one that said unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in Heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy Name? And in Thy Name have cast our devils? And in Thy Name done many wonderful works?” – Mt. 7:21-22.

 It is not God’s will that any should perish. But each must believe unto salvation. Doing God’s will from the heart requires an early step in the works of faith, of turning “to God from idols” in whatever size, shape, or form. We do God’s will only as we obey His Word. Many so-called “wonderful works” are being done in the Lord’s dear Name, but not all “prophecies and casting out of devils” done in His Name are done or attempted in God’s will. This was evident in the days of the sons of Sceva, and even more so today. Acts 19:14.

The most noble efforts of humanity will not count for much in eternity, unless they are done on the right foundation with the right materials and motives.

I Cor. 3:11-15, “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”

Therefore, our apostle solemnly warns, exhorts, and wisely encourages us as to the proper fountain and foundation of our dear Lord.

“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His. And, Let every one that nameth the Name of Christ depart from iniquity” – II Tim. 2:19.

As we honor His Lordship in our lives, He uses them to His eternal glory. THANKS BE UNTO OUR LORD FOREVER.