that things like this happen when people merely know some ideas from
the Word about goodwill and faith but do not practice them.
In fact the Lord says, “Everyone who hears my words and does themI
will compare to a prudent man who built his house on a rock. But every-
one who hears my words and does not do themwill be compared to a foolish
man who built his house on the sand” or “on the ground without a foun-
dation” (Matthew 7 : 24 , 26 ; Luke 6 : 47 , 48 , 49 ). Goodwill and faith and
made-up ideas about them, when we do not put them into practice, can
also be compared to butterflies in the air that a sparrow sees, flies toward,
and eats. Likewise, the Lord says, “A sower went out to sow. Some seeds
fell on hard ground, and the birds came and ate them” (Matthew 13 : 3 , 4 ).376 Goodwill and faith do nothing for us when they are attached to only
one part of our body (meaning our head) but are not anchored in
actions. This is clear from a thousand passages in the Word, of which I
will cite only the following here:
Every tree that does not bear good fruitis cut down and thrown into the
fire. (Matthew 7 : 19 , 20 , 21 )
“Those who are sown in good earth are people who hear the Word and
pay attention, and bear and produce fruit.”When Jesus had said this he
cried out, saying, “Those who have ears to hear must hear.” (Matthew
13 : 3 – 9 , 43 )
Jesus said, “My mother and my brothers and sisters are those who hear
the Word of God and do it.”(Luke 8 : 21 )
We know that God does not hear sinners, but if people worship God
and do his will,he hears them. (John 9 : 31 )
If you know these things, you are happy if you do them.(John 13 : 17 )
Those who have my commandments and do themare the people who
love me. I will love them and will manifest myself to them. I will come
to them and make my home with them. (John 14 : 15 – 21 , 23 )
My Father is glorified by your bearing much fruit.(John 15 : 8 )
Hearers of the law are not justified by God, but doers of the law are.
(Romans 2 : 13 ; James 1 : 22 )
In the day of anger and just judgment, God will repay all according to
their works.(Romans 2 : 5 , 6 )