46 "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?
Jesus asks of us a question that cuts to the core. Why do you say that I am Lord, He asks, yet not obey me? This is particularly poignant in light of the meaning of the word translated “Lord”. It is from the Greek word “Kyrios” meaning, might, power, Lord, master, owner; God. If He is our Master, our Owner, our God, shouldn’t obedience to Him be our paramount concern? Couple that with the fact that God is our loving Creator who has our best interest at heart. I love what C.S. Lewis states: "We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us. We are far too easily pleased.” Indeed, to our own loss and disgrace we would rather play in the sandbox than have a day at the beach. As Christians we need a wakeup call! Obedience is paramount to our contentment, peace and joy. It is spoken to throughout the entire Bible. It is commanded for our good. It provides concrete proof of our trust and our faith in God and of our love for Him. Jeremiah chapter seven is a wonderful chapter addressing the topic of obedience. It serves as a great reminder to us as well (consider, if we are believers, that when “house” is mentioned it is now our physical bodies this refers to – our bodies are God’s temple): 9 "'Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, 10 and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, "We are safe"--safe to do all these detestable things? 11 Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching! declares the LORD. Jer 7:9-11 (NIV) 21 "'This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Go ahead, add your burnt offerings to your other sacrifices and eat the meat yourselves! 22 For when I brought your forefathers out of Egypt and spoke to them, I did not just give them commands about burnt offerings and sacrifices, 23 but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you. 24 But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts. They went backward and not forward. Jer 7:21-24 (NIV)
Unfortunately, we have the exact same tendencies. We choose poorly, we allow the world to be our God and influence. Remember, what the world calls valuable, God calls worthless; what the world scorns, God exalts. Peter tells us: 13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." 1 Peter 1:13-16 (NIV)
We are to be children of obedience, molding our character after that of Christ. Titus adds: 1 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.
3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. Titus 3:1-8 (NIV)
Excellent and profitable sound good to me! Alva J. McClain states: “We often remind ourselves, and we remind you, that joy in its deepest sense comes only from the worship of God and obedient service to His will. So has it been from the beginning, so will it ever be.”