Jesus spoke a parable about two men building a house (Matthew 7:24-27). There was one man who built his house on the rock and the other built on the sand. There came a time when there was a storm and the house built on sand crumbled to the ground and the one built on the rock stood.

The explanation of the parable is given in verse 26. (Matthew 7:26). He shares that the one who built on the rock was building on Jesus Christ (a person who has obeyed God, repented (turned from) his sins and has asked God to forgive him of his sins) (Matthew 4:17). The other was building on another foundation other than Jesus's forgiveness.

In this parable we see that Jesus focussed on the foundation more than the house. The house could be well planned, have attractive interiors and comfortable couches. But it was the foundation that God was interested in. It was the foundation that would determine whether the house would stand during the time of the flood.

The Bible says that it is appointed to man to die and then comes judgement. (Hebrews 9:27) Each one of us will stand before to give account of our lives. (Romans 2:16) We might have a good reputation before people, good morals and perhaps contribute to charities. (1 Cor 3:12). None of these are bad of themselves and should be pursued. But these are all the building of the house. The issue of importance is whether this house is built on the strong foundation of Jesus's forgiveness of our sins.

Why is the foundation so important? Why can't a good house be good enough?

The Bible says all our good works are as filthy rags. (Isaiah 64:6) They are not good enough (Romans 3:23) to stand before a holy God. There was only one who lived a holy life and that was Jesus (Hebrew 4:15). He died on the cross so that He would receive our judgement for our sins and give us eternal life that only He deserved. It was the greatest exchange that ever took place, a place where the righteous judgement of God for sin and His love for sinners met. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

It is not too late to build your house on the right foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11), on Jesus forgiveness of your sins. You can change your foundation today and when the flood comes (judgement) you will be ready.

Each man decides the foundation on which they want to build on, one is satisfied with the external life before man, the other chooses to set right his life right with the Lord in private, and the evidence of that is made known before people in his/her life. (Matthew 7:18)