The issue of the parable is to illustrate who has been a wise or foolish builder in their lifetime, by their response of obedience to the words of Christ. It is not enough to hear and read Jesus's teachings, it is doing. It is not enough to profess to know Him, it is obeying.

Luke 6:46-49 "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? 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. 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."

Both wisdom and folly have intructions to which mankind can adhere or resist.

To call Jesus Lord, and then to fail to obey Him is contrary. True love and belief involves obedience. Obedience is a willingness to submit to the authority of Christ and actually do what is asked. This is not difficult, for Christ is trustworthy and the true foundation of Christian living.

The wise builder comes to Christ, accepts Him for who He is and hears His instructions and does them. He builds his life on Christian discipleship principles and his belief stands firm because it is founded on the Rock, which is Christ the foundation and His teachings. The wise builder is descriptive of a believer who is redeemed. The house built on the rock is saved from devastation and withstood storms, the builder's comforts peace, hopes and joy are secure.

The foolish builder is representative of those who reject Christ and are lost. The foolish builder also hears the instructions of Christ, but fails to live by them and builds his life on what he himself thinks is best of the principles of the world. Without a foundation, his beliefs are swept away, they cannot stand. Jesus calls this type of builder foolish, even though he may be popular and successful. The house built on sand has no foundation and those who have rejected Christ will fall, without Christ's teachings as their foundation they face great destruction.

Jesus was teaching individuals directly about their personal life. The resemblance to spiritual life is apparent. It is also a judgement theme, on how we build, with what tools and material used, weak or strong elements and substances. What matters is the material on which believers have built their foundation to stand the trial of difficult storms in life, which include someone trying to convince others of evolution and perhaps that there is no God.

A wise person will build their life within the framework of God's Word, the laws of the Kingdom. The foundation teachings of life are not just knowing it but also applying it and to fulfill and accomplish what Christ asks of His disciples, so that many might have eternal life that He offers.

Obedience to the words of Jesus Christ and belief in who He is, is the only sure foundation that a person can build their life upon with safety and security. For to obey Christ is being a hearer and a doer. The teachings of Christ is the secure solid base on which abundant life is built.

Disobedience in a person's life is like the builder who built without a strong foundation. A fool closes their mind to the Truths of God and fails to recognise danger because of the lack of understanding.

A wise builder is under God's redemptive protection. Jesus said whoever obeys His words He will call a wise man. It is a wise person who builds on the foundation, a Christian life. Wisdom is the quality of knowledge, discernment and understanding which is God's gift of The Holy Spirit to believers. Human wisdom cannot be trusted.

Both the wise builder and the foolish builder had their houses tested by flood, winds and rain. This test is over what type of foundation.

Jesus does make it clear that both builders are judged by their foundations. A foundation of rock is solid, the house stands, whereas sand is continually shifting and unstable, the house falls greatly. Destruction of a foundation is an indication of divine judgement. Many build their lives on external hopes and privileges but great is the fall when disaster overtakes. Believers are warned to avoid a similar situation. The wise have everlasting security.

The foolish also should heed the warning and build anew on God's redemptive provisions.

Every disciple is to follow Christ in obedience with God's Word. True discipleship is building a whole life on Christ Himself. There is no fear when storms come. The wise who listen and act upon the teachings of Jesus can face all circumstances, and not to do so is to be overwhelmed, eventually suffering total loss.

The person who is obedient builds on Christ The Rock and His teachings, will also withstand death and God's judgement.

Both the wise and the foolish builders build, but the major difference is not external but spiritual, and the key is The Foundation.

Proverbs 24:3-4. "Through wisdom is the house built, and by understanding it is established and by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with precious and pleasant riches".

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