The Wise Man vs. the Fool
The Bible says Jesus was one who taught with authority. That amazed the crowds because their own teachers did not. (Matt. 7 : 28) The Lord’s parable of the “The Wise and Foolish Builders” found in Luke 6: 46-49 is specifically directed to those who profess to follow Jesus.
Jesus began by asking the question, “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord’ and do not do what I say?”
It is not enough to simply hear the sayings of Christ; but we must apply them. It should be our heart’s desire to obey Him. Christ is mocked and scorned when professing Christians call Him, “Lord, Lord,” and do not seek to do His will.
Of the wise builder, Jesus says, “I will show you what he is like who comes to Me and hears My words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.” This true believer takes his Christianity seriously. He puts his faith in Christ, the Rock of ages. He allows the Holy Spirit to wash his heart clean with the Word of God and walks in obedience. King David wrote, “You Have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed.” He then added, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your Word.” (Psalm 119: 4, 9)
Jesus says such a man is like the house that cannot be shaken by the torrent of flood waters because his faith is resting on the solid Foundation. True disciples stand firm when the storms of life rage. No Christian is exempt from sickness, disappointment, accident, abuse or any other trauma the world or the devil can throw their way. But, these storms of life will cause true born-again believers in Christ to simply dig deeper into God’s Word, to pray more and to stand more firmly on the promises of Christ. Their faith will not be shaken, nor will it fail.
But of the foolish builder, Jesus says, “The one who hears My words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a solid foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”
This false disciple lays no foundation in Christ. He ignores the Word of God, he applies himself elsewhere, he lets himself get overly busy in worldly matters and does not consider the consequences. He often hears the instructions of the Master Builder through church, Christian relatives and friends, radio or books. Day after day, week after week, year after year he hears; yet, he never actually follows the instructions on how to build his spiritual life. The firm foundation is never laid. Of this person Jesus will say on Judgment Day, “I never knew you.”
The false disciple falls under the storms of life and eternity. The true disciple stands firm and lives a life worthy of the gospel he professes, and he reaps eternal life.
Which foundation are you building on? “Those who obey His commands live in Him and He in them.” (1 John 3: 24) Start today. Accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Then begin to build your spiritual house on the Solid Rock. Don’t live foolishly. Live in a manner worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ!