1. Introduction

Ever wondered: What if Jesus were to say, ‘I never knew you’? Is it faith, works, or both that pave the way to Heaven?

For believers, the ultimate quest is to attain eternal salvation at the conclusion of our earthly journey. However, misinterpreting Jesus’ words or adhering to faulty theology and doctrines could potentially lead us astray, ultimately causing us to take the wrong course of action in our lifelong faith journey, and potentially leading to eternal damnation.

While this parable may seem plain and uncomplicated at first glance, on close examination, it actually contains direct answers to the questions posed above. However, its interpretation has often been influenced by theology and turned into another benign figure of speech, an exaggeration to high light the point. Thus, the crucial message that Jesus intended to convey is misinterpreted or dismissed which could potentially affect our entry into Heaven.

Therefore, it is of utmost importance that we fully comprehend the significance of this parable, along with all of Jesus’ teachings and parables, as they hold equal weight. In particular, parables like this one, despite their apparent simplicity compared to others, demand no less our careful and undivided attention.

As Christians, we know well that following Jesus’s instructions is the sole path to entering the Kingdom of Heaven. He proclaimed, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life,’ and Peter confirmed, ‘Lord, you have the words of eternal life.’ Furthermore, Jesus said, ‘The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the words that I have spoken will judge him on the last day’ (John 12:48).

In this post, we will revisit the parable to remove any distortions and uncover Jesus’s original message, allowing us to reassess and align ourselves with His teachings.

2. The Contextual Background: ‘Living Faith.’

As is the consensus, the parable of the ‘wise and foolish’ builder finds its place within the broader context of Jesus’ teachings, particularly in the Sermon on the Mount, recorded in Matthew Chapter 5 through 7:23. Often referred to as the ‘Constitution of the Kingdom of Heaven’ for ‘Kingdom Citizens,’ this discourse presents outlines of a set of ethical, moral instructions and standards for God’s people, focusing on how they should embody their faith while navigating through the challenges of the world. Therefore, it is crucial to understand, the parable of the ‘wise and foolish’ builder is not primarily about ‘justification by faith’ but rather about ‘living faith.’

It is worth noticing that, in alignment with this ‘living faith’ aspect of Jesus’s teachings, James underscores the importance of faith accompanied by deeds, emphasizing that faith without action is ‘dead.’ Similarly, Paul highlights how faith led Abraham to glory in God’s promise, when he remained faithful to the promise, even though he and his wife were too old and considered as dead in terms of childbearing (Romans 4:19-20). Furthermore, the words of the Prophet Habakkuk and Jesus himself emphasize the significance of living by faith and cherishing every word of God (Hab 2:4; Matt 4:4; Deut 8:3).

In short, the parable serves as an illustration of a ‘living faith’ that ultimately leading us to the victorious and glorious entry into Heaven, after it withstand the storms and challenges which people of faith may encounter in their lifetimes, much like the house built on the rock withstand the buffets of waves and storms. 

As we delve into the textual analysis, we’ll see how this theme resonates within the parable’s message.

3. Unveiling Jesus’s Message of the Parable: The Ultimate and victorious Entry into Heaven

• The Text and Natural Reading of the Parable

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been found on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it” (Matthew 7:24-27).

The natural reading of the parable is as follows: Everyone who listens to Jesus’s words and acts upon them is akin to a wise builder who constructs his ‘house’ on a ‘rock.’ It is only natural that such a house to withstand the ‘storms’ of life.

Conversely, those who listen to Jesus’s words but do not implement them are like foolish builders. To build a house on the sand is ‘foolish’ to begin with, and its collapse is natural consequence of ‘cause and effect’ when it encounters ‘storms.’

• The target audiences

Contextually and semantically, the primary target audience for this parable consisted of the Jewish community, the descendants of Abraham and the chosen people of God. This audience also encompassed all Christians who, by faith, confess Jesus as ‘Lord and Savior,’ as they are regarded as the spiritual descendants of Abraham (Gal 3:29).

The parable’s emphasis on ‘living by faith’ rather than ‘justification by faith,’ coupled with Jesus’ transitional statement from the Sermon on the Mount to the parable, further reinforce the idea of the primary audience as previously posed.  Jesus’ statement in Matthew 7:21 underscores the importance of ‘doing’ the will of the Father in Heaven as a precursor to entering the kingdom of Heaven.

Therefore, all signs point to ‘everyone who hears’ referring to the Jewish community—the chosen people of God—and, by extension, to the ‘spiritual descendants of Abraham,’ those justified by faith in Jesus. After all, ‘Gentiles’ and non-believers are unable to ‘hear and do’ the words of Jesus without first experiencing justification by faith and becoming part of the‘Community of the believers.’

In conclusion, the primary target audience for this parable was the Jewish community, the chosen people of God, which includes all Christians who, by faith, confess Jesus as ‘Lord and Savior,’ as they are considered the spiritual descendants of Abraham.

• The significance of Greek words

The Greek word “ποιεῖ” translates to “do” in English, comes from the verb “ποιέω.” This is the same verb from which “ποίημα” translates to “poem” in English) is derived. In the parable, Jesus equates ‘doing the words’ with ‘building a house,’ essentially comparing it to composing a ‘poem.’  In practical terms, it’s akin to a person ‘actively’ and meticulously laboring, as if writing a poem, in constructing his own house, a figure of speech for ‘building up faith.’

‘My Words’ in context, refer to Jesus’s teachings including all His teachings on various aspects of ‘God’s wills’ for our life. In the parable, Jesus and His teachings represent the ‘Rock,’ the firm foundation.

The phrases ‘fell’ and ‘fall’ in Greek – πτῶσις & πίπτω, in Verse 27, originate from πίπτω (piptó) commonly used to denote ‘falling down.’ However, in the New Testament, it also was used to denote ‘loss of faith and separation from grace.’ For example, in Luke 2:34 – ‘Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed’ (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:12; Hebrews 4:11; Revelation 2:5).

Therefore, the term ‘fall/fell’ signifies a faith useless/worthless or nonexistent like the house swept away in the storm, ultimately, in conjunction with Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:21-23, leading to a ‘denial’ of entry to Heaven.

In short, the spiritual message of the parable is that everyone who faithfully lives out the teachings of Jesus will surely enter the kingdom of Heaven (See also, 2 Peter 1:10-12). But everyone who makes a deliberate decision ‘not to,’ in contempt of Jesus and His words, will not make it into Heaven.

4. The Theological Implications of the Parable

In the parable, Jesus high lights the ‘foolish’ builder acted through ‘free-will’ in contempt of Jesus and His teachings bringing the detrimental consequence upon himself.

The Greek word for ‘not doing’ denotes a subject’s deliberate willful decision. Thus, in the context of the parable, the ‘foolish’ builder decided on his own to stop follow through which he first began calling Jesus, ‘Lord, Lord’ and even listened to Jesus’s Words as the ‘wise’ builder did. And at some point, for some reason, he decided to go on his own way or metaphorically, build a house on the sand. He did what he did solely on his own volition, not as a result of God predestined so.

The Parable Conflicts with a theology-based interpretation.

In the parable, Jesus speaks, as we have observed through the analysis, about the possibility of being denied the entry as in the case with the ‘foolish builder.’ This poses a clear challenge to one particular long held theological doctrine of mainline Churches in the worldwide.

According to the doctrine, Jesus’ parable is interpreted as a declarative statement. The ‘Wise builder’ symbolizes a ‘true believer’ chosen by God for salvation, while the ‘Foolish builder’ represents an individual predestined for eternal damnation in Hell. Proponents argue that this parable supports the ‘doctrine of election,’ which they view as a form of ‘Determinism.’ This belief asserts that God has predetermined everything, including who will be saved and who will be damned. That is to say, individuals have no choice but to act according to their predetermined fates – ‘Christian’ Determinism.

However, as we have already discovered above, such an assertion is not only skewed, presumptuous, and misleading susceptible believers into straying, which is a grave sin itself. Most importantly, it challenges the words of Jesus and His authority. This is a clear reversal of authority, with theology or παράδοσις (tradition, doctrine) taking precedence over Jesus and thus, breaking the ‘Scripture.’ Moreover, it is dishonoring God by misrepresenting the Holy, Just, and Loving God to the world as tyrannical and irrational like the gods of mythologies. Added to it, total disregards of God given human ‘autonomy and free- will’ which will be discussed in the following.  And, therefore, all these cannot be the ‘markers’ of proper and good Biblical theology.

5. God respects for Human autonomy and free-will.

Let’s explore God’s profound respect for human autonomy and free-will, setting aside theological debate about ‘election or predestination,’ which is a ‘mystery belong to God’s domain.’   

God created human beings as ‘bearers of His image and likeness,’ and gave power and authority to have dominion over all creatures, and set us to ’be fruitful, replenish, and subdue the earth.’ On earth, God set humans as His counterpart, next to God. God commanded Adam (and Eve) an explicit commandment about the ‘tree of knowledge’ with a dire consequence. He said, ‘You shall not eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge, if you eat, you will surely die’-a commandment for Beings with free-will! All of stated mandates, responsibilities, and commandments with dire consequence, only further affirms how God views human autonomy with free-will He imparted at the creation.

God’s Plan of Salvation further serves as the ultimate testimony to His respect for human autonomy and free will. While we were still sinners and enemy, God sent Christ to die’ to redeem us, the ‘rebel, acted on ‘free-will.’  He decreed the ‘Plan’ in eternity according to His foreknowledge, making us the ’beneficiary’ as well as God’s counterpart ‘agent’ of carrying the good news. Without this respect for human free will, history, and the divine decree would lose their profound meaning.

Then, there is the Gospel call, which provides further proof and will be discussed below.

The first message of Jesus, and of the John the Baptist, was, ‘Repent and believe in the Gospel.’  Jesus said, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he dies, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.’ Peter and Paul said, ‘Everyone/whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

The ‘salvation’ is not our own doing but is the ‘gift of God,’ which we receive it by faith or ‘exercising faith.’ Our ‘life in Christ,’ is “commitment’ to follow Him in obedience by ‘faith.’  God does not force us to accept His gift nor twist our arms to do against our will. It is like a mother. She does not force her children, rather she set up a dinner table with savory foods for them to eat.  Thus, it is Biblical, our free-will decision plays a primary roll from beginning until the ending. And the free-will comes with a corresponding accountability for the exercise of it, especially, any contemptuous free-will acts as in the case with ‘foolish’ builder.

In summary, God’s ‘call’ for our ‘actions’ resounds loudly and distinctly throughout the entire Scripture. This ‘call’ is evident in all the commandments with promises of blessings and curses, as well as the explicit prescriptive statements with consequences, such as ‘do, or else.

 In the Bible, God Expects Human Free-Will Response

Every page of the Old Testament, from the creation of human beings to the history of God’s chosen people, and from Jesus’ teachings to the Epistles and Revelation, echoes the call to ‘hear and do’ and ‘endure to the end’ to enter Heaven. Jesus himself said, ‘Enter the narrow gate,’ and also stated that ‘the violent men take the Kingdom of Heaven by force.’

Moreover, besides the ‘descriptive’ teachings, there are overwhelming numbers of ‘prescriptive’ teachings and commands of ‘dos and don’ts’ or ‘keep the words, and be blessed, or else.’ All of these calls and commands involve a human free-will response. Contextually and linguistically, it couldn’t mean otherwise.

The “Fall” of humanity did not occur because God decreed it; instead, it was due to free-will actions of Adma and Eve rebelling against God. The Plan of Redemption in God’s Decrees logically follows the ‘Fall,’ based on God’s foreknowledge of the ‘Fall’ and His love and goodwill for fallen humanity.

Therefore, asserting that God foreordained everything to occur with certainty, and ‘predestined’ some unconditionally to be saved (and therefore will not ‘lose’ it), does not concur with Scripture. Furthermore, it contradicts God’s holy attributes and challenges His high regard for the innate free-will of ‘man,’ whom God created in His own image and likeness.

God is not a ‘man,’ and He will in no way make Himself a mockery by self-contradiction.

6. Humans, through their free will, have the capacity to act contrary to God’s will.

God desires and expects His children to persist and persevere in trusting Him, remaining unwavering in their obedience and efforts, even when progress is slow or variable. For instance, God understands that some will yield 30-fold while others may yield 60-fold. He does not expect everyone to yield a uniform 100-fold. As illustrated in the parable of the true vine and its branches, God prune the branches begin to bear fruits, God will prune them to enable them to bear even more fruit.

In all circumstances, God desires His children to maintain their trust in Him and avoid taking matters into their own hands. However, throughout the Bible, we encounter numerous regrettable instances of such ‘rebellion.’

For instance, Adam and Eve, who were the first to do so, chose to go against God’s command. In the history of Israel, we find more examples, including King Saul, Solomon, and other stiff-necked and rebellious kings and people of the chosen nation.

In the New Testament, Jesus shared parables as warnings on the same subject. Consider the prodigal son, who left his father’s house of his own accord; the servant entrusted with one talent or one mina, who buried his gift rather than using it wisely according to the master’s will; and the five ‘foolish’ virgins who did not prepare with enough oil, as they believed they had enough oil themselves.

Additionally, in the parable of the ‘Sower,’ Jesus illustrated how different responses to His word can lead to various outcomes, and also in the ‘True Vine’ parable, He emphasized the importance of bearing fruit. These examples all share a common theme of individuals choosing to take matters into their own hands, sometimes with regrettable consequences.”

God wants His children to endure to the end, not just for a while, and not to fall away or abandon when tribulations and persecutions arise on account of His Word. He also does not want them to be ensnared by worldly cares and the deceitfulness of wealth and fame. However, as Jesus cautioned in His parable of the Sower, many quickly abandon His Word and opt out for the easier and less painful ‘broad paths.’

All these instances share a common thread: individuals taking matters into their own hands by their own volition. This looming danger of ‘falling’ is a potential challenge that people of God may face throughout their entire journey of faith, as we will explore in the following discussion.

7. Faith Can Waver, and Hearts Can Changes Along the Journey of Faith.

As stated, the potential ‘fall’ or ‘grow strong’ in faith or ‘building one’s house on the rock or sand,’ can only happen during our lifetime on this earth. It begins with the moment of receiving and responding to the Gospel call, and confess, ‘Jesus is Lord and Savior.’

The length of life journey of faith can be as short as of the ‘thief’ on the cross next to Jesus, and long as until the end of our life as were all those ‘faithful’ gone before and endured the persecutions and kept their faith with ‘life.’

While individuals ultimately make their own decisions, it’s important to recognize that there are external influences or “instigators” at work. In the case of the “wise” builder, the Holy Spirit serves as a positive influence, guiding their choices. Conversely, for the “foolish” builder, the Devil acts as a negative influence, leading them astray. This highlights the role of external forces in shaping our decisions and faith journeys.

Paul said in Philippians 2:13 – ‘For it is God who works in you both to will and to work for His good pleasure,’ and ‘the Holy Spirit intercede for us according to the will of God’ (Romans 8).

On the other hand, as Peter warned, – ‘Be sober and alert. Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl looking for someone to devour’ (1 Peter 5:8).

Judah Iscariot allowed the Satan to work on his mind, betrayed Jesus and hung himself to his eternal destruction. The Israel had fallen from the ‘chosen favorites’ to ‘ruined and despised’ as the result of long – resisting against the call of God to ‘Repent.’

The churches in Asia minor, the Ephesus, in their pursuit of “doctrinal correctness” they ‘abandoned’ their first love, so were churches in Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis (diagnosed spiritually as dead), and the lukewarm church Laodicea, Jesus said they will be ‘spit out’ unless do as the Spirit says.

SUMMARY

We delved into the Parable of the ‘Wise and Foolish Builder’ by Jesus, exploring questions about faith, salvation, and potential misinterpretations. We discovered that the parable emphasizes not just faith, but ‘living faith,’ enriching our comprehension and implication of it.

We began our study with a detailed look at the parable’s literal interpretation, understanding its central theme of faith, obedience, and the consequences of our decisions. We identified the main audience as the Jewish community and all followers of Jesus, emphasizing the parable’s direct relevance to those who follow Christ’s path.

We explored the parable’s theological implications, questioning deterministic views and highlighting God’s respect for human freedom. We emphasized that God’s call to action, present throughout Scripture, confirms the importance of individual choices in our faith journeys.

We also examined how faith can fluctuate and the impacts of external forces, such as the Holy Spirit and the Devil, on our choices. This view strongly refutes deterministic theology, while emphasizing personal responsibility and accountability in our individual faith journeys.

In essence, we’ve embarked on an in-depth journey into the Parable of the ‘Wise and Foolish Builder,’ highlighting the complex relationship between faith, free will, and our choices in the quest for eternal salvation.

 

CONCLUSION:

Jesus frequently employed parables—concise, didactic stories designed to highlight principles or lessons that people could better relate to in order to understand His teachings, without exaggeration.

Regrettably, this parable has often been viewed as merely ‘another’ simple story that Jesus used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. The common interpretation and application have primarily centered on the importance of ‘acting upon Jesus’ words,’ making the right choices, and prompting self-reflection on the foundation of one’s life—a wisdom saying with universal relevance.

As a result, Jesus’ stark warning about the potentially devastating consequences—the denial of entry into Heaven—has been willfully disregarded due to its theological ‘hard-saying’ nature. In other words, in the pursuit of ‘theological correctness,’ the parable has been transformed into hyperbole, with the stated consequences, ‘it fell with a great crash,’ not meant to be taken literally.

However, as we have observed, this parable is not hyperbolic when considered in context and semantics. Therefore, it represents an irresponsible hermeneutic fallacy, with significant accountability on the part of its interpreters. Moreover, as Jesus cautioned, it is akin to ‘the blind leading the blind, both falling into a pit.’

So, what’s the next step?

As Jesus proclaimed, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life,’ and as Peter affirmed, ‘Lord, you have the words of eternal life.’ Furthermore, Jesus stated, ‘The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the words that I have spoken will judge him on the last day’ (John 12:48). In the parable of the Sower, He also said, ‘He who has ears to hear, let him hear.’ Additionally, the Holy Spirit admonishes, ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

Ultimately, the responsibility lies with every person of God who possesses ‘ears to hear what Jesus conveys in this parable: ‘Be wise and build your house on the rock, so it will not collapse under the storms but stand firm.’

Finally, this parable offers Jesus’ response to the questions raised at the outset: What if Jesus were to say, ‘I never knew you’? Is it faith, works, or a combination of that paves the way to Heaven?

 

Sola Scriptura!    Sola Fide!   Soli Deo Gloria!