“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46)

Understanding the Lordship of God is vital to us as believers. Jesus would even ask the question, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46) Jesus makes His point with the following illustration to the importance of doing what the Lord says.

“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 down 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 6:47-49)

Jesus’ point is very clear. If Jesus is Lord, then what He says is true and the only stability in life is to do what the Lord says. The entire Old Testament is a testament to the question of Jesus. When the people did what God instructed them to do, He blessed them, He provided for them, He showed His love for them, and He would protect them. Over and over, story after story, warning after warning, the people would turn away from God and time after time their lives would collapse. Their hearts were sinful, and they would look for what God offered in other places. And the results were always the same.

From the beginning, understanding God’s Lordship is vital. “This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, when the LORD God made the earth and the heavens.” (Genesis 2:4) Throughout Scripture God is calling mankind and each individual person to Himself. From the promise to Adam and Eve after their sin, to crush the tempter’s head, till all stand before Him at Judgment, He is calling us to Himself and His Lordship. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands.” (John 14:15) The problem is the same as in the beginning. We want to do it our way. The foundation of all sin is the same; we think God is holding out on us and, therefore, we know a better way. While history may show us different, we still look to be our own lord. This is a problem of both our hearts and our minds. They are corrupted by sin. This is why God sent Jesus. In His Lordship, God came to defeat our sin and give us a new life. In order to do this, God has to become a man. This is the promise of the Messiah, of the Christ. Jesus came and lived a sinless life. On the cross He took our sin and died. In victory, He rose from the dead overcoming sin. Now, Jesus is Lord, with an offer for us. This offer is salvation and a new life. In conquering death, Jesus can give us victory over our sin. The apostle Paul would put the offer this way.

“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, ‘Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.’” (Romans 10:9-11)

This life comes by trusting in God’s victory through Jesus Christ and professing that faith with your mouth. Trusting that victory comes when you acknowledge the Lordship of God in your life. That does not mean you will be sinless in this life, but it does mean that God will be working in your life so that you will learn to obey Him. Therefore, beginning to build upon the rock foundation. The foundation is Jesus Christ. Everything He says in His Word, the Bible, is given to help you build your life upon this foundation. God also will send the Holy Spirit into your life to lead you into all truth. Truth will show you God’s power and authority. Providing the Master’s love, blessing, provision, and protection. As we build, Jesus reminds us this will not be easy, but to take heart, He has “overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Now and always, keep in your heart and mind that Jesus is Lord.

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block