“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.” Luke 6:47, 48

Why would someone want to build a house on such unstable ground as sand? This builder might have chosen to ignore the storm warnings, thinking that disaster would not strike him. Whatever his reason, the man who built his house on sand paid a solemn price – he lost everything. Jesus compared this man to those who listen, but do not obey. The sand-builder hears the words of Jesus, but doesn't apply them to his life. Thus, when the storms of life assail him, his faith is weak and he crumbles.

However, the man who builds on a firm foundation is not swayed, even when the floodwaters break against his house. This is a person of faith and action. In his daily life, he is putting into action the principles he learned from the Bible. He doesn't just listen; he obeys. Such a believer can weather any storm, because his foundation - Jesus Christ - is immovable. When you build a strong foundation - by reading God's Word and deepening your understanding of your faith - you can stand strong in any trial. No matter what storms rage around you, your foundation will stand strong.

The great principles of the law, of the very nature of God, are embodied in the words of Christ on the mount. Whoever builds upon them is building upon Christ, the Rock of Ages. In receiving the word, we receive Christ. And only those who thus receive His words are building upon Him. "Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 3:11. "There is none other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12. Christ, the Word, the revelation of God,--the manifestation of His character, His law, His love, His life,--is the only foundation upon which we can build a character that will endure.

We build on Christ by obeying His word. It is not he who merely enjoys righteousness, that is righteous, but he who does righteousness. Holiness is not rapture; it is the result of surrendering all to God; it is doing the will of our heavenly Father. Do you desire to become a follower of Christ, yet know not how to begin? Are you in darkness and know not how to find the light? Follow the light you have. Set your heart to obey what you do know of the word of God. His power, His very life, dwells in His word. As you receive the word in faith, it will give you power to obey. As you give heed to the light you have, greater light will come. You are building on God's word, and your character will be built after the similitude of the character of Christ ...

He who, like the Jews in Christ's day, builds on the foundation of human ideas and opinions, of forms and ceremonies of man's invention, or on any works that he can do independently of the grace of Christ, is erecting his structure of character upon the shifting sand. The fierce tempests of temptation will sweep away the sandy foundation and leave his house a wreck on the shores of time. Obeying God is like building a house on a strong, solid foundation that stands firm when storms come. When life is calm, our foundations don't seem to matter. But when crises come, our foundations are tested. Be sure your life is built on the solid foundation of knowing and trusting Jesus Christ. The clearest evidence of a vital relationship with God is that we hear God's words--and put them into practice. The person who truly loves Jesus will keep His commandments.