Matthew 7:26 - Everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice

But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.

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:

Today's verse is from a parable Jesus taught during His Sermon on the Mount.

The parable challenges us to answer a simple question: Where is my foundation?

Parable: The Wise and Foolish Builders

24"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

28When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law. - Matthew 7:24-29

Matthew 7:13-14 - Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

It's easy to look at this verse and be fearful of not finding the small gate. But friends, He didn't speak this so that we would be afraid, He spoke this so we would know the truth.

Jesus is saying that to follow Him through the narrow gate would require faith, discipline, and endurance. This difficult life is the only life worth living.

On the other hand, to enter the wide gate is to live a life of self indulgence. If you choose the easy way, you will have an abundance of company, but you will miss God's plan for your life.

Do not stand in a cross roads, one foot in each direction. You have been given this day as a gift, choose to take it and walk through the narrow gate so that you might have life in abundance, both in this one and thereafter.