Why Do You Call Me Lord? – EGP Blog post from December 17, 2012
Luke 6:46–49 (NASB)
[46] “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? [47] “Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts° on them, I will show you whom he is like: [48] he is like a man building a house, who dug° deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent° burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. [49] “But the one who has heard and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house on the ground without any foundation; and the torrent° burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great.”
Luke 6:47 Lit does
Luke 6:48a Lit dug and went deep
Luke 6:48b Lit river
Luke 6:49 Lit river
The word “lord” means “one possessing great power; to exercise authority over, restrain, regulate, and direct.” Therefore, whatever rules over (i.e., controls) is lord. Money (Luke 3:14), career, possessions (Mark 10:21–23), loved ones (Luke 9:59–62, Luke 14:26), time, fitness (1 Timothy 4:8), and religion (Matthew 12:1–7) are just a few examples of what can be lord of one’s life.
In verse 46, Jesus asks how can someone call Him Lord, if that person does not do what He says. It is our responsibility as Christians to let Jesus be Lord of everything in our lives. Colossians 3:17 states, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” Thus, you should make a conscious effort to make all your words and actions Christ-centered.
It is true that we are not Jesus, we are just His representatives. The question is NOT “What would Jesus do?” But rather, what are we going to do in His NAME, i.e., His PLACE?