Luke 6:46 - Just Professing Or Really Living For The Lord?
Luke 6:46 Just Professing Or Really Living For The Lord?
Luke 6:46 (KJV) And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the
things which I say?
James 1:22 (KJV) But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers
only, deceiving your own selves.
Jesus knows of self-professed "followers" who know the language
of discipleship but not its walk.... As Jesus comes to the end of his
sermon, he must know that many will readily agree with and even applaud
his words of love and mercy. However, he has no interest in their
talk if it is not accompanied by action. [College Press NIV
Commentary]
It is not enough to say, "Lord, Lord." The person who has
actually experienced forgiveness is the one who comes to Christ, who
hears Christ's words, and who puts them into practice. In other words,
when that inner transformation has well and truly taken place we will
be drawn to Jesus, continually looking and turning to Him. We will
be eager listeners to His Word. And we will be obedient
practitioners of His Word.
And, when the storms come, the cloak of the one who pretends to
have faith, whose commitment is merely intellectual, and who enjoys
dabbling in Christianity as long as he isn't forced to take it too
seriously, will be stripped away. He and all around will suddenly realize
what God knew all the time--that his claim to belong to God was empty
and insincere..... The storms of life will come. But when they do the
relationship that we have built with Jesus Christ will enable us not only to
survive, but to triumph. And in that triumph we will not only witness to
the reality of the forgiveness we enjoy, but will also bring glory
to our God. [Victor Bible Background Commentary]
Missing Heaven by 18 Inches
Does this title startle you?
How can anyone get so close and yet in the end hear the Lord
say, "I never knew you: depart from me''?
However, this will be the terrible result of many in our
churches today who are professing Christians, often with responsible
positions, but who have had only a head acceptance of the Lord Jesus
Christ. Tragically enough, even teachers, preachers and religious
workers are not exempt from the possibility of this chilling
indictment.
The distance between the head and the heart is 18 inches.
Unfortunately, a head--intellectual--knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, fully
knowing and giving mental assent to the plan of salvation, without also
a heart acceptance that brings the personal relationship that the
Bible demands, avails nothing to any man.
Listen to Paul's heart cry concerning Israel as he spoke under
the guidance of the Holy Spirit, " For I bear them record that they
have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge." He was speaking
about misdirected efforts, energies expended in the strength of the
flesh but not under the direction of the Holy Spirit. The lack of
power today in many of our churches as well as the lack of power today
in the lives of many professing Christians can be laid directly to
this.
It is only as we see ourselves in the mirror of God's Word as
without excuse and without hope, utterly lost and undone, that the truth
of the Scriptures convicts us, for the Bible clearly reveals that
this is how God sees man.
Then, when the glorious truth of the gospel brings us to
recognition of our own sinfulness, and in true repentance we cry out to God
asking forgiveness and help, asking Him to come into our hearts, not
our heads, we experience the new birth.
Jesus Christ said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no
man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
The Bible also tells us that "He that hath the Son hath
[eternal] life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.''
Furthermore, the Bible promises "That if thou shalt confess with
thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God
hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the
heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession
is made unto salvation."
Christ wants your heart, not just your head because "The Lord
seeth not as man seeth, for man looketh on the outward appearance, but
the Lord looketh on the heart."
It is vitally important that you make sure it is not just head
knowledge and mental assent you have given to Jesus Christ. He needs the
complete surrender of your heart and life so that you may be truly born
again.
Eighteen inches can mean an eternity with Christ or an eternity
without Christ. Are you sure of your personal relationship to Him? Why
not settle the question in your heart once and for all right now?
Paul W. Empet, American Tract Society, P. O. Box 462008, Garland.
Texas 75046
Every person has a house, a life to build. How he builds his
life determines his destiny, not just for this life, but for
eternity.... There is only One foundation for every life: Jesus Christ (1
Cor. 3:11). He is the Rock upon which both individuals and churches
are to build (Matthew 16:18). Everyone either builds upon this world
or upon Christ, [Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible]
In every decision in life there is a short view and a long view...
Happy is the man who sees things, not in the light of the moment, but
in the light of eternity... [Barclay Commentary]
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