History has proven a timeless truth: nothing enduring stands without a solid foundation. From the towering skyscrapers that define modern cities to the bedrock principles of faith, strength begins at the base. Engineers understand this—without deep, unshakable footings, even the most impressive structures collapse. The same principle applies to spiritual life.
In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus delivered a striking parable:
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” (Matthew 7:24-27, ESV)
This passage is more than a metaphor—it’s a warning and an invitation. The foundation of faith is not tradition, comfort, or superficial righteousness, but obedience to Christ’s teachings. Yet, deception persists when tradition masquerades as truth.
The Deception of Spiritual Complacency
Jesus began His sermon with a radical declaration:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3, ESV)
Luke’s account phrases it differently: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God” (Luke 6:20). At first glance, Luke’s version might suggest that material poverty guarantees divine favour. But Christ’s emphasis is on spiritual humility—the recognition of one’s need for God. Christian material is eagerly welcomed by those facing spiritual poverty, much like food is deeply desired by those enduring physical poverty. Jesus extols the former.
The “poor in spirit” are those who acknowledge their inadequacy and seek truth with open hearts (1 Thessalonians 5:21). In contrast, the “rich in spirit”—like the Pharisees—are self-assured, convinced of their own righteousness. They scorn religious material, but spend their time chasing after material riches. This pride blinds them, as Revelation 3:17 warns:
“For you say, ‘I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing,’ not realising that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.”
The Mark of True Christianity
Genuine faith is not measured by external piety but by transformed character (Matthew 5:4-9). True Christians:
- Prioritise others’ well-being over personal comfort.
- Associate with the marginalised, unswayed by societal judgment.
- Seek God’s approval, more than human praise.
In contrast, false believers often:
- Compare themselves favourably to others (Luke 18:10-14).
- Equate prosperity with divine favour, mistaking physical blessings for righteousness.
- Thrive on recognition, while true servants labour in obscurity and scorn human adulations.
Persecution: The Unlikely Seal of Authenticity
Christ shocked His listeners by declaring:
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:10)
Genuine Christians often face opposition, not for moral superiority, but for associating with the despised and for challenging hypocrisy. Meanwhile, false believers blend seamlessly into society, celebrated by crowds and institutions alike. These are the individuals commonly recognised as Christians in society.
Salt, Light, and the Danger of Self-Glory
Jesus called His followers to be “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:13-16). But salt that loses its savour is worthless, and light hidden under a basket defeats its purpose. True faith serves more than it performs.
False teachers, however, twist Scripture for personal gain, callously shunning those with truthful information. They seek applause for their good works, while true disciples reflect God’s glory, more than their own. This describes people who celebrate persecution more than adulation from the public.
The Law Fulfilled in Love
Christ did not abolish the Law but fulfilled it (Matthew 5:17-20). This is why His followers are called to a higher standard—one of love for enemies (Matthew 5:21-48).
- True Christians forgive, restore, and pray for persecutors, rather than spend more time praying for those supporting them.
- False believers are known for clinging to legalism, mistaking morality alone for righteousness, while neglecting weightier matters, like pride. In the advent of social media, these are the people who exhibit an appetite to share messages of gossip and materialism, but have no time to share truthful information, especially those with divine information.
Hypocrisy vs. Authentic Worship
Jesus condemned performative spirituality (Matthew 6:1-18):
- Prayer is not a theatrical display but an intimate communion with God, committing their petitioning exclusively in private.
- Giving is done in secret, not for applause. The reason for this behaviour is the emphasis on crucifying the physical body to save the Spiritual individual.
- Fasting is surrender, not self-promotion. This reminds the person that the physical body serves the spirit, not the other way round.
Those who seek human approval already have their reward, although not as lasting as the Spiritual reward.
The Cost of True Discipleship
Christ’s call is radical (Matthew 6:19-34):
- Trust God completely, even in the face of death, rejecting materialism. Such a person finds comfort in ridicule more than pursuing what those of this world mistake for wisdom. This is the area where most potential Christians are lost.
- Seek first His kingdom, not personal security. The unadulterated truth is that the Kingdom of God does not identify with materialism. A person who loses everything to gain Christ is safer. This is in stark contrast with those engrossed in materialism.
For those who obey, these commands lead to true freedom. However, for many, these commands seem impractical. False worshippers seek to convince ordinary people that it is noble to pity those killed for standing up for the truth. To them, protecting the physical body is more important than protecting their spiritual integrity.
Judgment, Prayer, and the Narrow Way
Jesus warned against hypocrisy (Matthew 7:1-6). The only motivator for hypocrisy is pride. True believers examine themselves, not others. They pray persistently, focusing on aligning their desires with God’s principles rather than chasing the fleeting pleasures of this world. (Matthew 7:7-11), knowing God answers those aligned with His will.
The path to life is narrow (Matthew 7:12-14). Few find it—not because it’s hidden, but because it demands total surrender. Popularity is not connected to truth, which demands the crucifixion of one’s body to save the image of God, connected with the Spirit.
False Prophets and the Test of Fruit
Deception thrives in religion (Matthew 7:15-20). Satan’s greatest weapon isn’t necessarily persecution—it’s counterfeit miracles (Matthew 24:24). True disciples discern truth by its fruit, not its spectacle. One of the hardest challenges in life is persuading someone deeply rooted in miracles that such performances aren’t necessarily connected to God’s truth.
The Final Warning
Christ’s closing words are sobering (Matthew 7:21-23):
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father.”
Many who perform great works in His name will be rejected—not for lack of zeal, but for lacking obedience. This is why having a strong foundation in Christianity is so important. Those rejected by Christ might have believed the grand structure was secure all along, only to find themselves unable to withstand the test of truth in Jesus.
Conclusion: Building on the Rock
The Sermon on the Mount is not a moral checklist but a blueprint for authentic faith. The difference between true and false Christianity is this:
- Self-centred religion seeks comfort, recognition, and control.
- Christ-centred faith surrenders all to follow Him.
The elaborate Sermon on the Mount is often viewed as establishing the foundation for Christ’s mission and leading up to His crucifixion. While much attention is given to Jesus’ crucifixion, the message should be viewed as shifting focus to the reader’s own personal crucifixion and how they interpret and live out Jesus’ teachings. The reader is encouraged to parallel Jesus’ path to the crucifixion with their own personal journey towards sacrifice. The foundation has been laid, leaving the decision up to us. Will we build on rock or sand?
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilisation, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, relieving those who have witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions, leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book to be a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
The Print copy is now available at Amazon.com for $13.99
Also available as an e-copy at Lulu.com for $6.99