Photo by The New York Public Library on Unsplash
By Mike Chaffin
Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? Luke 6:46
So many metaphors could be used on this question. This isn’t a hypothetical or philosophical question. It is not a rhetorical question. This is a coach getting the face of his players asking a probing question. This is also a ‘gotcha’ question a lawyer might ask someone testifying.
The use of the title LORD, LORD is one a follower gives to God emphasizing His importance in their life. However, Jesus knows that professing to be a Christian, and being one are two different things.
Later Jesus tells his followers if the love Him then they should follow His commands. Being a disciple of Christ is to find out what those commands are. Knowing Jesus’ teaching is imperative in our being able to do what He told us to do.
Jesus follows up this question by saying this person is not prepared for any type of hardship. The person who doesn’t follow God’s ways are like the person who receives the good news of the gospel, but at the first sign of trouble, falls away.
James, the half-brother of Jesus in his wisdom letter in the New Testament hits on this point, bringing it clarity.
21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. James 1:21-25
When we don’t do what Jesus tells us to do, we sin. When we do what the world wants us to do and not the Holy Spirit, we have given into temptation. When we say we are a Christian, but never live like it, we are not a Christian.
We all fail to be good all the time. The good news is Jesus is there to forgive us when we ask. Furthermore, as we stay close to Him, in prayer and Bible study, seeking to do His will in all our actions the more of a doer of the Word we become. Growing in Christ is only accomplished by doing what He commands.
Contemplation: Am I a doer of God’s Word or a just a hearer?
