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Luke 6:47, 48 - Character Building (the right and wrong way).

Luke 6:47, 48 - Character Building (the right and wrong way).

Luke 6:47,48 (NIV) 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.  

True obedience is not just words but deeds, and it involves 
hearing the Word and doing it (1 Thess. 2:13). Judas knew the 
vocabulary, but he did not do the will of God; and when the storm came, his 
house fell. [Chapter by Chapter Bible Commentary by Warren Wiersbe re 
Luke 6] 

  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 One Year Bible for New Believers re Luke 6:47-49] 

  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 builded 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. MB147-152 

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. [Life Application SB] 

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. [The 365-Day Devotional 
Commentary re Mat. 7:24-27] 

EXCELLENT SERMON ON THE PARALLEL PASSAGE IN MATTHEW:

Building on the Rock by Derek Morris: 
http://media.forestlakechurch.org/content/media/building-rock 

OTHER GOOD RESOURCE MATERIALS:

www.aBible.com