The True Measure of Discipleship: Listening and Obeying
"¶ And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" - Luke 6:46
In our modern world, where the term 'Lord' often becomes a mere title with little weight or authority, the question Jesus poses in Luke 6:46 rings out with purpose and urgency: "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" This verse compresses profound truths about the nature of our relationship with Christ into a poignant inquiry that challenges us to examine the authenticity of our discipleship.
**Understanding the Context**
To fully appreciate the gravity of this statement, we must consider the surrounding context in the Gospel of Luke. Jesus had just concluded his famous sermon, where He addressed the nature of the Kingdom of God, the true essence of love, and the call to radical discipleship. He paints a picture of what it means to be a follower of His way, contrasting it with mere lip service. When He questions why we address Him with such reverence yet fail to adhere to His teachings, He starkly reiterates that acknowledgment does not equate to obedience.
**The Weight of the Title 'Lord'**
The title 'Lord' signifies authority, respect, and submission. When we call Jesus 'Lord,' we are recognizing Him not only as our Savior but also as the Master of our lives. It demands an active response that is grounded in obedience. To call Him 'Lord' while neglecting His words transforms our faith into mere hypocrisy. This idea resonates in 1 John 2:4, which asserts, "He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." Our verbal declarations must be reflected in our daily actions.
**The Call to Action**
When Jesus questions our commitment, He invites us to a deeper reflection. Are we just fans of Jesus, who admire Him from a distance, or are we committed followers who actively seek to live out His teachings? This distinction is crucial in our journey of faith. Genuine discipleship requires more than simply gathering for church services, singing hymns, or participating in religious rituals. It involves a daily commitment to practice what we preach, to live out the principles found in Scripture, and to model the love and grace that He demonstrated.
**Obedience as Love**
In John 14:15, Jesus articulates the connection between love and obedience: "If ye love me, keep my commandments." Our obedience is a direct reflection of our love for Christ. It should stem from a heart that acknowledges His Lordship over our lives. This love-driven obedience translates into choosing to do kindness, showing grace, and forgiving those who wrong us—actions that are often contrary to our human instincts but essential in reflecting the character of Christ.
**The Foundation of Our Faith**
Building our lives on the teachings of Jesus is likened to constructing a house on rock, as Jesus continues in Luke 6:47-49. The storms of life will come, testing our foundations. Our obedience to His words fortifies us against these challenges, enabling us to stand firm. When we choose to listen and act accordingly, we are affirming our faith in a way that brings honor to His name and draws others toward Him.
**Conclusion: A Call to Examination**
As we meditate on Luke 6:46, let us examine our lives and our relationship with Jesus. Are we genuinely living according to His teachings? Are we committing ourselves to action based on our faith? It is a call to align our outward expressions of faith with our inward realities. May we not be content with just calling Him 'Lord,' but strive daily to do the things He says. Through our obedience, we bring glory to God and demonstrate the transformative power of His love to a world in desperate need of hope.
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Luke 6:46 - "¶ And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?"
"¶ And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" - Luke 6:46
Luke 6:46-49 - "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug 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. 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."
"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug 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. 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." - Luke 6:46-49
Luke 9:46 - "¶ Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest."
Luke 1:46 - "And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,"
Luke 8:46 - "And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me."
Luke 22:46 - "And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation."
Luke 7:46 - "My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment."
1 Chronicles 6:46 - "The son of Amzi, the son of Bani, the son of Shamer,"
Luke 19:46 - "Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves."
Luke 1:46-47 - "And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior."
Mark 6:46 - "And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray."
"And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord," - Luke 1:46
Luke 20:46 - "Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;"
Luke 24:46 - "And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:"
Psalms 46:6 - "The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted."
Luke 2:46 - "And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions."
"¶ Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest." - Luke 9:46
John 6:46 - "Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father."
Luke 12:46 - "The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers."
Luke 8:46 - "And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me."
Luke 8:46 - "And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me."
Luke 23:46 - "¶ And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost."
Isaiah 46:6 - "They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, and hire a goldsmith; and he maketh it a god: they fall down, yea, they worship."
Ezekiel 46:6 - "And in the day of the new moon it shall be a young bullock without blemish, and six lambs, and a ram: they shall be without blemish."
Luke 11:46 - "And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers."
Genesis 46:6 - "And they took their cattle, and their goods, which they had gotten in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob, and all his seed with him:"
Jeremiah 46:6 - "Let not the swift flee away, nor the mighty man escape; they shall stumble, and fall toward the north by the river Euphrates."
"The son of Amzi, the son of Bani, the son of Shamer," - 1 Chronicles 6:46