Saturday 13 September 2008

Background

Jesus calls people to follow him!

And followers of Jesus are judged by what other people see. Just asgood fruit only comes from a good tree, good people will producegood things. Jesus expects that his followers will be recognised byhow they behave and by how they speak.

It's no good just saying the right things - like calling Jesus'Lord' - unless you actually do what he commands. In some ways,following Jesus is easy, but it involves an effort when you getdown to it. You have to lay the right foundations.

The image of two builders who build on different foundations saysit all. It's hard work to hack into rock, but a house built on rockwill stand up to storms and floods. If you take the easy option andjust pop your house on top of the ground, especially sand, there'sa disaster waiting to happen.

Following Jesus means being judged by what other people see in you,and it means making an effort to dig deeply into Jesus' teaching -and to make it a part of your life.

To Ponder

What do you think other people notice about you?Does it help them to follow Jesus? How?

How could you try to show more of Jesus in theway you live?

Are you prepared to dig really firm foundationsin your own faith building? What might be the best ways of doingthis?