When Jesus asked the question, "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46, NKJV), he emphasized this inconsistency with the parable of the wise and foolish builders. Both heard the words of Jesus (Luke 6:47, 49). Both built a house (Luke 6:48-49). The difference is in the foundation. The wise man dug deep to build on bedrock. The foolish man built only on the ground, without any foundation.

This is the difference between those who only hear the words of Jesus, and those who hear and obey. To say Jesus is your Lord is to say you're committed to Him, to give Him authority over your life. There are many things that want to take priority in a person's life, but Christ is Lord, as all authority in heaven and earth are His (Matthew 28:18). To say that Jesus is Lord means that He and His will come first (1 Peter 3:15). This shouldn't be all that difficult, as His authority is exercised in love, seen in His sacrificial death on the cross (1 Peter 1:18-19). He offers us all spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3), and the hope of eternal life (Hebrews 5:9). To submit to Him as Lord offers His blessings. Why would one call Him Lord but not submit to Him as Lord?

If we don't do what He says, we have exalted ourselves over Him. Jesus can help us face any situation we encounter in life (Philippians 4:13), but if we don't do what He says, we only complicate our lives. He has the answers, while we have the problems. This is why Jesus said to hear but not obey is like building on sand (Matthew 7:26). The only sure way for life, and the hope of eternal life, is to truly make Him Lord of our lives, which is to do what He says.

Do you profess Jesus to be Lord, but reject being immersed to be saved (Mark 16:16)? Do you call Jesus your Lord, but live contrary to what He taught (Mark 7:20-23)? Only those who hear and obey are wise, having truly submitted to Him as Lord. To just hear, but not obey, is foolish, because you have no real foundation on which life can be built and lived. Are you wise or foolish? Is Jesus truly Lord of your life?

Robert Johnson

Longview, TX