Jan 6 2009 Gen 15-17 Luke 6

Scripture
And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Luke 6:46

Observation
By this time in His ministry, huge crowds are following Jesus. He has become famous and well known throughout the entire region. People are coming even from great distances to see Him. It makes me wonder why. What is it about him that is drawing all these people?

Up to this point, Luke has devoted much of his gospel to describing Jesus interaction with people. He describes in detail, great numbers of people set free from evil spirits and healed from sickness. Maybe that is what drew these people. They saw in Jesus a deliverer from oppression and disease,

But Jesus wants to be more than that. Yes, He came to be a Savior, but He also came to change how people lived. Jesus tries to convey a very simple but profound truth; being a Christian is not just about what we believe, it is also about what we do.

Application
Jesus is reminding me that the true evidence of conversion and faith in Christ is the way I live my life and not just the label I carry.

Jesus says,”Why call me Lord and do not the things which I say?” My immediate answer to His question is “what things” are you talking about? If I look to the verses preceding this statement, I find a rather surprising answer.

Jesus isn’t talking about my tithe, my attendance at church, or even my devotional life. He’s talking about how I treat others. What does my treatment of others have to do with my relationship with God? According to Jesus; everything.

I wonder…if we lived this creed of treating others as Jesus would, we would find we wouldn’t have to “do” evangelism.

Prayer
Lord, thank you for showing me what the real fruit of the Christian life is. I know too often I get caught up with beliefs and doctrines and other religious stuff. All that you command me to do in this passage is exactly how you lived your life. Help me to model my life after yours.