Do We Do What He Says?

 DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO LUKE

DO WE DO WANT HE SAYS

Luke 6:46-49

46 "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? 47 I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. 48 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. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete." 

NIV

 We should note the Greek word kurios is a title used for respect. It is used as a word for God, and for the Messiah, but Jesus is not telling them they call him God or the Messiah. The most common use of this Greek word is like we would call someone the owner of something, such as a business, or property where he has the power to decide what to do with that which he owns. It is doubtful Jesus is saying they call him, God, God, or even Messiah, Messiah, but most likely a master, a Lord as a title of respect. Nevertheless, because of the context, that is how this title of Lord, or Master is used. Why do we call him Lord? We think of Jesus as not just Lord, but the Lord of heaven and earth, the Son of God, or as John puts it, Jesus is God. The question that is before us is whether we do what he says. Of course, we would say that we have built our lives on the foundation of the rock, which is Jesus. There is no doubt that we believe Jesus is the only way to salvation so that when we are finished with this corruptible and perishable body and lay it down, we will enter into his rest, being in his eternal presence forever. Whatever kind of body that is resurrected, it will not be corruptible, nor will it ever perish. But the question that still be before us, is whether we do what Jesus says. This would mean that we not only study all the word of God, and perhaps specifically everything that is recorded that Jesus taught, but that we put his words into action, we live by them. It would be a good idea to make a list of all the truths that Jesus taught, maybe even just what is considered his sermon on the mount, and put all those truths into action, actually living our lives based on every word of Jesus. That would first mean we understand what it means to live by faith, that is we actually trust God with every aspect of our lives. Faith means more than simply believing in Jesus as Lord and Savior, it is a lifestyle. We cannot live according to the principles of this world and then add Jesus to our lives so we can be saved from our sins. Yes, we must work and provide an income to pay for things, such as housing, transportation, clothing, and food, plus all the other stuff we like. However, Jesus said to seek first the kingdom of God, that is put God before everything, and if we do that, he knows we need that stuff and he will provide it. Jesus that alone is one of the truths that Jesus taught that we should live by. The question is still before us, do we seek God above all else? Do we trust God to provide us with everything the pagans chase after, or do we actually trust in our ability to provide enough income to not only have all we need, but have all we want, and then even store up enough for years of doing nothing, not working, but enjoying all the fruit of our labor? Then we would have to start looking at all the rest of what Jesus taught, and the question would still be before us, do we do what he says?