One of my brother's hobbies was building model planes. Every time he opened a new box, the first thing he saw was the instructions, but he didn't think he needed it to follow them. In his mind, he knew exactly how to put the model together. Not until he had glued a few pieces together did he realize he had skipped an important step, like putting the pilot in the cockpit.
It's easy to think th/at we have no need for instructions for our lives, only to later realize that we've messed things up. Which is exactly why Jesus advised that following His instructions is the way for wise people to build a safe, solid and significant life (Matt. 7:24-29). He had just told the listening crowd to turn the other cheek, to go the extra mile, to forgive enemies, and to sell treasures so that they could give to the poor (Matt. 5:39-44). But just getting the instructions isn't enough. The key is to follow them, "Whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock" (7:24).
The who don't follow the instructions are, as Jesus put it, "foolish" (v. 26). To the world, forgiving your enemies and giving to the poor may seem like a silly way to build a life, but, take it from Jesus, it's a wise way. To build a rock-solid life, follow Jesus' instructions. Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Amen
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