Lord, Lord

Luke 6:46-49

"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?  Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.  But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great."

In Luke chapter six, Jesus gave a detailed discourse on the basics of Christian faith and conduct.  He outlined the principals of the kingdom: loving others, praying for your persecutors, generously giving to everyone who asks, forgiveness, and mercy.  So now He ends his lecture by commanding obedience to these principals.  To call Christ “Lord” is to wholly submit to Him as master of your life in both word and deed.  Obedience is a key ingredient in genuine, saving faith, and faith without subsequent action is dead (James 1:22-25, 2:17).

The wise man builds his life on the principals of Christ’s teachings, so that when the flood of sorrows, persecutions, and pain beat against him he will stand firm because his foundation is built on the solid rock.

The foolish man builds his life on the carnal principals of worldly wisdom, in disobedience to the Word of Christ.  When the storms of life rage, he is swept away because his life is without a foundation.