Luke 6:46-49 New International Version
The Wise and Foolish Builders
46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. 48 They are 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. 49 But 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 foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”
We have all heard the phrase “practice what you preach” and when applied toward a certain individual, it is not meant as a compliment. I recall as a kid that other kids would even use this phrase derogatorily when they thought it applied.
In the scripture shown above, this is basically what Jesus is saying to his listeners. He asks “why do you call me Lord and do not do what I say?”
If we call Him Lord and do not do what he says, we are being hypocritical and not practicing what we claim to be. Put another way, we have the right words, but our actions do not match our words.
Christ goes on to compare metaphorically those who hear Christ and put His words into practice and those who hear Christ but do not put His words into practice.
Wise Builders
In His metaphor, those that hear His words and live by them are compared to a wise builder, who in building his house, dug down deep in the earth and laid his foundation upon the bedrock. When subsequent storms came, the floodwaters struck the house but could not move it because it was well built.
Modern builders don’t dig down to bedrock, but use what is called a “footing” to build wisely. Footings are an important part of foundation construction. They are concrete with rebar reinforcement that has been poured into an excavated trench. The purpose of footings is the same as digging down to bedrock in that they support the foundation making the building more secure and prevents settling.
Foolish Builders
Those that hear His words and do not live by them, He compares to a builder who builds his house on the ground without a solid foundation. When the subsequent storms came, the floodwaters struck the house and it collapsed in complete destruction.
How Does This Apply To Us?
As we bring Christ's parable down to us, we must consider the following question;
Are we wise builders or foolish builders?
Do we live what we talk? Do we practice what we preach? Do we call Christ our Lord and obey his words and commandments?
We must never forget that as a Christian, obedience is not an option.
If we live as we profess and obey the words of Jesus, we are building upon the solid rock. We are building upon Jesus and His word.
1 Corinthians 3:11 New International Version
11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
The Gospel of Matthew records this parable as follows;
Matthew 7:24-27 New International Version
The Wise and Foolish Builders
24 “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. 25 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. 26 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. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
As we conclude, notice that Jesus did not say the storms would not come to Christians , but He tells us that if we obey Him and do what He says, we shall withstand the storms of life and not be moved.
Let us be certain that we are building upon the solid rock foundation and living so that others will see Christ in our life.
If we are, we will be able to withstand the trials, tribulations and storms of life that surely come our way.
RVH