"And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: 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. 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
Part 1
Today: The Hypocrisy of Disobedience
“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46).
There are hearers, and there are doers, and it does matter which one you are. The Bible tells us that it is not enough to simply listen to the Word, but we need to take action and do what it says. Those who are content with merely “hearing the Word” are deceived.
“Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:21-22, ESV[1]).
Those who are deceived act like obedience to the Word of God is not important. The most important test of our obedience is doing what the Bible says.
“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord.”
It is easy for a Jesus follower to call Him “Lord.” But the very word “Lord” implies that He, Jesus, is the Master. He is the One in charge, the One who calls the plays the One who always has the first and last word. This word also implies servitude for the one who is following. Jesus is the Lord and Master, and I am His slave, His doulos. Unfortunately, many today have no idea what this concept means. To be Jesus’ doulos means to own nothing but to be owned by “the Lord.” We who know Him are His personal property. We are His to do with as He pleases. This means I do whatever He asks of me without question. It is no wonder then that Jesus asked this question, “and why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” This is an oxymoron! It does not compute, and it makes no sense at all. To use the term “Lord” means Jesus is my Master, and I am His slave.
Using these words “Lord, Lord” does not necessarily mean that a person is born again. There is much more to our relationship with Christ than this. Jesus said –
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:21-23).
And Jesus also told a parable of the Ten Virgins that shows us that not everyone will make it to heaven.
“Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But He answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not” (Matthew 25:11-12).
So we see from this that simply making a profession or calling Jesus your Lord does not mean it is so. There is more to life in Christ than that. Here is one of the biblical tests of faith in Jesus Christ. “Do you do what Jesus tells you to do?”
“And do not the things which I say?”
The test of genuine faith in Christ is answered by simple obedience to Christ. “Do you do what Jesus tells you to do?” Malachi, the prophet, asked this of Israel. Speaking for the LORD, he said –
“A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honor? And if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?” (Malachi 1:6).
Reading through the book of Malachi, we discover that the priests of Israel did not do what God had told them to do. They did not fear and honor Him as the Scriptures direct. The true believer is ready, willing, and able to obey God always in everything. No one and nothing comes before their Lord. Jesus said this to the eleven, the night of His betrayal before He went to the cross the next day.
“Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. [2] For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them” (John 13:13-17).
Can you see in these verses how there is happiness, contentment, and fulfillment in obeying what Jesus says to us?
Please come back tomorrow as we continue to try and understand and obey what Jesus says to us in His Word.
Quote: Here’s the crucial issue: “Are the words I say to, and about Jesus, matched by everything I think and do in my life?” Is Jesus really my Lord? Does my walk match my talk?
[1] ESV is the English Standard Version.
[2] BTW, this command is much greater than just washing feet. It points to love and care for our brothers and sisters in Christ. It is inclusive of all we are to do for Jesus Christ.