But the one who has heard my teaching and does not obey it is like a man who builds a house without laying any foundation at all. When the storms and floods rage against that house, it will immediately collapse and become a total loss. Which of these two builders will you be?
Luke 6:49 TPT
Jesus teaches a profound lesson about the importance of a firm foundation in life. He compares a person who hears His words and follows them to a wise builder who constructs his house on a solid foundation. When the storms of life come, the house remains unshaken because it is firmly built upon the rock. But those who hear His words and do not put them into practice are like a foolish builder who constructs his house on the sandy ground. When the storms rage, the house collapses, for its foundation is weak and unstable.
Therefore, 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. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.
Matthew 7:24-27 NIV
This parable teaches us the importance of not only hearing God’s words but also living them out in our daily lives. It’s not enough to have knowledge; we must put it into action. If we want to withstand the challenges and trials of life, we must build our lives on the unchanging truth of God’s Word. By obeying His teachings, we establish a solid foundation that provides stability, strength, and endurance.
“Which of these two builders will you be?” is an important question I would like us to consider. The wise builder is the one who comes to Jesus, hears His words, and actively puts them into practice. In contrast, the foolish builder hears Jesus’ words but fails to put them into action. Meanwhile, Jesus urges us to reflect upon these two builders and make a deliberate choice regarding our own lives. However, it is important to note that the storm represents the inevitable tests that we must all pass through. We will all pass through the fire of trials and ‘quality assurance’. Will you pass the test?
The decision is ours to make, and its significance cannot be overstated. Choosing to be the wise builder means committing to a life of obedience, faith, and reliance on Jesus. It means aligning our thoughts, actions, and attitudes with the principles found in Scripture. Through our obedience, we experience the transformative power of God, enabling us to weather life’s storms. But if we choose to be the foolish builder, we risk the collapse of our lives, driven by the shifting sands of worldly influences. Such a path leads to instability, confusion, and eventual ruin.
Are we building our lives upon the solid rock of Jesus’ teachings or settling for a flimsy and unreliable foundation? Which builder will you be? So, let us examine our hearts and make a resolute commitment to be wise builders. Choose wisely, for your decision today will determine your eternity.