“When Jesus was walking on the earth,” Stan commented one morning, “He asked a lot of great questions. Many of them, maybe most or all of them, I continue to be asked.”
“In what way?”
“Let me give you an example from something I was looking at earlier this morning in Luke’s gospel,” Stan said. “I read a great question that Jesus asked. I can tell you without a doubt that I’m asked the same question every single day.”
“What’s the question?”
“Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?’”
“Wow,” I said, “If Jesus asked that question, it really goes to the core.”
“He asked it,” Stan replied, and you’re right, it does go right to the core. It seems to me that it’s a simple question that goes to the heart of what it means to be a Christian practicing discipleship.”
Continuing, he added, “And I think it’s a question for all of us who call ourselves Christians, but the first person I know who has to be asked that question is me.”
“You?”
“Yeah,” Stan replied, “Me. In the first place, if I have accepted God’s gift of Jesus as my Savior, which I have done, have I made Him Lord of my life? And if I have made Him Lord of my life, why don’t I do what He says?”
“And do you have an answer?” I asked.
“I do,” he replied. “And it’s the same as always. Self. Failure to deny self and get me out of God’s way so Jesus as Lord can do what He wants through a person who is taking up what He has for me to take up.”
“Doesn’t that sound kind of like not being a disciple?” I asked.
“That, my friend,” Stan replied, “is another question that goes to the core of the matter!”
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Bible verses to consider:
And why do you call Me, “Lord, Lord,” and do not do what I say? Luke 6:46.
Not every one who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?” And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.” Matthew 7:21-23.
And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” Luke 9:23.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus as the Savior of the world. Thank you for those who brought me the truth of your provision so I could accept Him as my personal Savior. Thank you, too, that we can take the next step of making Him Lord of every aspect of our lives so we will do what He has for us to do. I confess that too often I don’t have Jesus as Lord of my life and I don’t do what He says because that’s what I choose. Please forgive the foolishness of trying to live this life as a Christian without having Jesus as Lord and without doing what He says. Please help me follow every step of your lead so I not only have Jesus as Savior, but also as Lord, and that I do what He has for me to do in being a disciple. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in His name. Amen.
Think on this: Have you accepted Jesus as Savior so you know you will spend eternity in God’s presence when it’s time? If no, why have you not accepted God’s free and gracious provision? If you are a Christian with Jesus as Savior, how are you doing with Jesus being Lord of your life? Is He Lord? Do you do what He has for you to do? If you sense the need for change, how is that going to happen? Is that what you want? Why or why not?
Waiting for the Train 