I LOVE donuts! They are my favorite food by far (followed by pizza if you wanted to know). I have to limit myself or would eat them just about every day, sometimes more than once a day. Asking my favorite kind is like asking who my favorite child is – it varies from day to day depending on circumstance. From traditional glazed or chocolate iced to maple bacon or brownie batter to donut burgers (a burger with a slightly sweetened donut as a bun), it’s hard to say, “when.” We won’t even get into whether apple fritters, bear claws, eclairs and others are really donuts or not, so don’t ask. Despite the plethora of toppings available, what separates a really good donut from an okay donut is the foundation – good dough. Without proper dough, you can cover the donut with whatever toppings you want, but in the end, I won’t be satisfied. I agree with Alton Brown that a donut shop should first be judged by a plain glazed donut. That way you can really taste the dough without being distracted by the colorful décor or zany cereal coating.

As Christians, our solid foundation and basis of our faith is Jesus Christ (John 14:6) and His teachings (Matthew 7:24-27). I’ve heard these verses and story many times that he who builds on the rock will stand and he who builds on sand will be washed away. However, I always missed the context for these verses and the first few words – “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them…”. It’s not just a story being told for amusement, it’s a cause and effect promise. If we hear what He said AND put them into practice, that’s when our foundation (both as Christians and as a body of Christ) is sturdy enough to face the world and even the powers of darkness and make a difference (Matthew 16:17-19). If we do not listen and follow His teachings, our missions will be in our own power which cannot stand.

So, what are His teachings that we need to follow (James 1:22)? First of all, this wise vs. foolish comparison is toward the end of the part of Matthew we call “the Sermon on the Mount. (Matthew 5-7)” It starts with the beatitudes (or the blessed be’s) which include those who are poor in spirit (recognizes your need for God), those who mourn (feel deep disdain for the sins we have committed), the meek (submitting yourself to God), those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (a longing for Christ and His perfect will to be done), the merciful (forgiving others), pure in heart (holding yourself to a standard of inward holiness), peacemakers (bringing God’s message of reconciliation), and the persecuted for righteousness (willing to openly declare and stand for your faith despite the pressure and persecution around you). By following these instructions, we can be both salt and light to the world around us. When is the last time someone at work or other public place noticed that you were different in a positive way? Adding salt to a dish makes it taste better, but how can we be salt if we hide in a “Christians only” mindset while minimizing any interaction with the people that don’t know Him. To be light, we must not be covered up, but exposing our great God through both word and deed. Forewarning to notice verse 11 as light sometimes shows what’s been hidden in darkness and people don’t like being exposed, so there may be attitudes that are less than friendly. But is that worth not being willing to share the Gospel or at least live it openly?

Jesus then briefly mentions that He has not come to get rid of the Law, but to fulfill it by saving people from their sins, being without sin and to being able to forgive and make us new, which the Law could never do. By fulfilling the law, Jesus could clarify it to make it obvious that no one is able to keep the Law and therefore everyone stands in need of a Savior. The law said don’t murder, Jesus goes further. The law says not to commit adultery, Jesus goes deeper. The law says not to lie or take advantage of your neighbors, Jesus says to love your neighbors and enemies. No matter how much of the law you try to keep, you will always fall short somewhere. The religious leaders added to the law so it fit their purposes, to try to justify themselves and/or keep other Jews under their thumb. What “laws” have you added to or more likely, taken away from, that need to be readdressed? Sometimes the Bible draws lines that are grey, rather than black or white. Even though we are saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9), we should try to err on the side of caution to follow His instructions and be set apart from the world.

Jesus moves from showing love to others to us showing off for them. We are commanded to take care of the needy (1 Timothy 6:18), but not with selfish motives of drawing attention to your generosity. We should all give as we are able because it’s God that provides opportunity to give, sometimes great and sometimes small. He talks about prayer and fasting in the same way. Loud and boastful prayers to be heard by others do not profit. It’s the secret, humble, continual prayers that are rewarded (The Lord’s Prayer Revisited). It’s about your heart’s motives – are you trying to please God or impress people? Where are your greatest treasures? Are they in things that you have accumulated here on Earth or are they moments in which you followed God’s leading to give some money to that organization that helps people, or donating time to shelters for people in need or teaching that Sunday school class where the kids are brats and you don’t know if any of them heard what was taught. You never know what seeds are being sown.

As Jesus is wrapping things up, He reminds us not to worry because God’s got this (Proverbs 21:1-3). So don’t waste your time judging others or getting into pointless debates on subjects that do not matter in the long run. As my preacher has said, “There are saving matters and then there’s everything else.” We need to keep our focus on God and what He is doing, and will continue to do, if we ask. The biggest thing of all, is He wants us to love each other and treat each other as we would be treated. That way, the love of God can be demonstrated through word and deed.

As we follow God’s Word, instructions, we will be solid enough to face what the world brings and bear good fruit (Galatians 5:22). We are not saved by our good works and the fruit we bear. They are the evidence of a life that was built on a firm foundation – good dough.

P.S. If you are now craving a really good donut, here are a couple of my favorite places: The Art of Donut – San Antonio, TX; Everglazed Dounts – Orlando, FL; Gibson’s Donuts – Memphis, TN