Chiasmus

6: Matthew 7:24–27

I’m learning to think of the gospel in terms of the two great commandments: love God and love one another, but this is a reversed order: first you hear these sayings, a decidedly social act, and

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, subsequently, make

and doeth them, a personal commitment to DO them: complete the task

I will liken him unto a wise man, and accomplish the call. And where are

which built his house upon a rock: these sayings of Christ? They are held in repose within others. You don’t learn the Gospel by listening to yourself: you listen to the Spirit which corrects and edifies your spirit and you listen to others. In this way, you act as Christ did, always pointing out the virtues in those around you, regardless of how distasteful parts of their identity are (prostitute, tax-collector, etc.). Following the example

And the rain descended, of Christ will mean that you are built on the

and the floods came, and the winds blew, Chief Cornerstone and partake

and beat upon that house; and it fell not: of His resilience: His ability to

for it was founded upon a rock. overcome despite submission, to win

And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, without gloating, and

and doeth them not, to conquer without despising the enemy.

shall be likened unto a foolish man,

which built his house upon the sand:

And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell:

and great was the fall of it.