Obedience is Key

We all consider the Lord to be our Rock, our Foundation. We all piously embrace the analogy of building our lives upon the foundation of Jesus Christ. We all assume that since we claim Jesus as Lord then we have done all that is required to have the Rock under us that will never allow our house to be washed away by the storm.

However, there is a key component which seems to be overlooked in Jesus' parable as told in Luke 6:46-49.  He is very clear in His introduction, yet we skim past the point. "Why do you call me Lord, Lord and do not do the things I say?" Ouch!

"I will show you what someone is like who comes to Me, hears My words, and ACTS on them:" We are then told that he is like a man who digs down and builds his house on a solid foundation.

In contrast, we are told in verse 49, "But he who merely hears and does not practice doing My words is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation, against which the torrent burst, and immediately it collapsed and fell, and the breaking and ruin of that house was great."

The difference is in the doing.

But, to what is He referring when He says, "My words?" The key is in the previous verses. His analogy immediately follows the "Sermon on the Mount." In it we are given instructions on Holy living. We are instructed to be Holy as He is Holy, and here we are told how.

Many studies could be written on each of His teaching here, but for the sake of this writing it is sufficient to say obedience is the key.

We are further told four times in John 14 that if we love Him we will keep His commands. Clearly, He takes our obedience seriously, as it is an indication to Him of our love for Him.

But why? Because obedience is a sign or marker of our trust in Him or our faith. If we don't trust Him or believe Him, we will not do what He tells us. If we trust Him to be who He says He is and do what He says He can do, then obedience will follow. We will be accutely aware that He desires the best for us and so, even if we do not understand why, we will be obedient to follow His commands.

How frustrating it is to observe in our own children the lack of faith in us required to obey.  Often they stop and consider whether our intentions for them are what they should desire for themselves. However, they are extremely short-sighted and want what they want right now. As their parent, we are more aware of the long-term goals or consequences for them. They may want to eat cake for breakfast, because it is good right now. We as parents know that having cake for breakfast is not healthy and will have consequences later.

So too, our Father in Heaven knows the beginning from the end. He knows what is best for us long-term. Our Father knows not only how our bodies and our spyches work, but also how our spirit works and matures, and He wants the best for us. He desires to grow us and matures us.

Obedience requires submission. He says to us in the Luke account, "Why do you call me Lord, Lord..." He is asking why we consider Him Lord and Master, yet we have not sumitted to Him in obedience. We cannot grow strong and build on a sure foundation without submitting to obedience to His commands.

Ours is a God of "If...then." IF a person loves Me THEN he will keep My commandments; THEN I will reveal Myself to him; THEN he will be loved by the Father; THEN we will come and build our home with you.

Obedience is the key.