46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? 47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: 48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. 49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great. (Luke 6:46-49 KJV)
Build on the Rock
It is not enough to merely hear Christ’s words—we must obey them. It is meaningless to call Him “Lord” while living by our own rules. “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46; Matthew 7:21-22). Calling Jesus “Lord” in prayer or worship is empty if we ignore His commands. Prayer without obedience is an abomination.
Relying only on profession of faith without obedience is deceiving ourselves. Jesus compares obedient hearers to one who builds on a solid foundation (Luke 6:47-49). They dig deep, build on Christ the Rock, and prepare for future trials. Such people hold fast during temptation and distress. Their comfort, hope, and eternal safety are secure, even in death or judgment (1 Timothy 6:19).
In contrast, those who only hear but don’t obey are like someone who builds without a foundation. Their hope is groundless, and it collapses under life’s storms. When trouble comes, their foundation gives way. Their ruin is sudden and total—like the hypocrite whose hope vanishes when God takes away his soul.