Blessing Comes From Doing

In John 13:17 It says, “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” (NIV)

The uncontrollable winds of life—relational winds, financial winds, and spiritual winds—can overwhelm us and throw us off course. But God’s Word is filled with principles to help us withstand even the toughest winds.

Putting into practice everything you learn is an antidote for uncontrollable winds. God doesn’t just want us just to hear his Word. He wants you and I to do it—to obey it, to practice it.

The Bible says, “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The 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” (Matthew 7:24-25 NIV).

Notice the three things that happen in a storm. The rain comes down, attacking the roof of life. The streams rise, flooding the foundation of life. And the winds blow, beating against the walls of life. We’re getting it from the top, the bottom, and the side. And we have no control over any of it.

So what should we do with the uncontrollable things of life—that diagnosis you can’t control, a child you can’t control, or financial hardship you can’t control? You put into practice everything you have learned in Scripture. And when you do, you won’t fall down because the foundation of your house is built on the rock.

What’s the rock? The rock is the Word of God. And the more we build our life on it, the more solid we’re going to be. The wind can come and cause enormous problems, but it won’t devastate life when you’re doing what God says.

John 13:17 says, “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them” (NIV).

This verse doesn’t say you’ll be blessed if you know these things. It says you’ll be blessed if you do them.

Maybe you’re coming out of a stormy season right now—or maybe you’re about to go through one. Regardless, we need to build our lives on the unshakeable Word of God. It’s the only foundation that can be trusted.

In this chapter, Jesus didn't wash his disciples' feet just to get them to be nice to each other. His far greater goal was to extend his mission on earth after he was gone. These men were to move into the world serving God, serving each other, and serving all to whom they took the message of salvation.

In summary, now that I know these things, I will be blessed if I do them. I am to move into the world serving; God and others who I take the message of salvation to. The ultimate goal is for God to use his Word to change my life. I become mature by intentionally and constantly applying what I'm learning. I put my knowledge into practice. It's also time to start teaching others. If I do these things, Jesus' promises will become true for me.