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What kind of a builder are you? The parable of the wise and foolish builders, and the context of it, is very important. It’s in Matthew 7:21-27: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, You who practice lawlessness.’ 24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 “And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. 26 “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 “The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell — and great was its fall.”

Do you profess to know Jesus? The real question is whether or not He knows you! Yes, He knows everything about you. But, on judgment day the Lord will say to many: “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.” The parable teaches the importance of obedience. Confession alone is not proof of salvation. Notice that Jesus twice (Vs. 21 and 22) indicated not everyone who says to Him “Lord, Lord…” will receive eternal life. How sobering! 

Hearing God’s word isn’t enough either! Many listen to God’s Word via Bible reading, church attendance, radio, TV, and podcasts. That’s wonderful! But, what do you do with it?! Notice in Vs. 26 that merely hearing Jesus’s words is not enough either. Obedience is vital! Those who said, “Lord, Lord”, and appeared to obey, were self-deceived. Their motives weren’t right. They still practiced lawlessness. Jesus didn’t know them because they didn’t truly belong to Him.

This passage doesn’t contradict the truth that we are saved by grace through faith. Eph. 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Jesus Himself said those who believe (have faith) will have eternal life (John 3:16). But James chapter 2 also makes clear that genuine faith results in good works. And, James 1:22 says, “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” Let’s honor God by obeying out of love for Him and others, and out of thankfulness for who He is and what He’s done for us!

David Edmonston is the pastor of Trinity Church in Prospect. He can be reached at davidetrinitychurch@gmail.com.