Do I Really Obey God?

You have probably read the following passage several times but let's read it again.

Luke 6:46-49

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?

Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them,

I will show you what he is like:

he is like a man building a house,

who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock.

And when a flood arose,

the stream broke against that house and could not shake it,

because it had been well built.

But the one who hears and does not do them

is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation.

When the stream broke against it,

immediately it fell,

and the ruin of that house was great.”

This parable about the Wise and Foolish Builders is repeated in Matthew Chapter 7 verses 24-27. It is actually the concluding remarks of Jesus's Sermon on the Mount.

Verse 46 is striking - "Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?"

Both the wise and foolish builder call Jesus their "Lord".

So for all intents and purposes, both builders are "Christians".

Both of them cry out to God.

Both of them pray.

Both of them have a relationship with God calling Him their "Lord".

Yet, both end up in two very different places.

When the storms of life hit both of them,

one of them remains safe and secure while the ruin of the other was "great".

So if they both called Jesus their Lord, what was the difference between them?

The first one obeyed God.

The wise builder did not just listen to God's words but he followed them (vs 47).

The foolish builder also heard God's words. The foolish builder knew everything.

He had the knowledge in his head. But he never acted upon it. He never obeyed God's will.

Matthew 7:21

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven,

but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

We can be "Christians" - going to church every Sunday, praying and reading God's word daily - yet still fail when it comes to actually obeying Him.

Obedience is not just listening but actually doing all that He calls us to do.

Obedience is not just hearing all the sermons and podcasts and reading all the Christian books and devotionals. Obedience is not just reading God's word and writing down notes and spiritual insights. We can do all of that yet continue to live in disobedience to Him when it comes to daily living.

This should be deeply convicting to us.

Is there something in our life that we know God has been calling us to do (or not do) yet we have been putting it off, denying, giving excuses, delaying or flat out refusing?

Which of God's words have we heard and understood yet fail to actually obey?

Remember that delayed obedience is also disobedience.

Let us take time to pray and ask God about this.

And as He reveals things to our hearts, let us remember that obedience is key to our whole life (James 2:14-26; Deuteronomy Chapters 28 & 30).

True Love = Obedience

The true test of our love for God is whether or not we obey Him.

From the smallest of things to the biggest, it all matters.

Every single thing matters as it points to the true posture of our hearts.

Obedience is the proof of true love and faith and trust.

Obedience shows that we have faith and trust that God's will is best and good.

And that He will provide to us and in us whatever we need to walk through what He has called us to. When we obey, we trust and have faith that He will miraculously provide all things that we need (spiritual, physical, emotional, etc.).

James 2:26

"As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead."

John 14:15, 24

"If you love me, obey my commandments."

"Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me.

And remember, my words are not my own.

What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me."

When we don't obey, it simply means that we do not trust or love our God.

It sounds harsh but that is the truth.

Obedience Protects Our Hearts

Jesus, in the parable did not say "IF" the flood comes.

He said "WHEN" the flood comes.

There WILL be storms in our life.

We are either currently walking through one,

or have just finished walking through one

or are soon going to be walking through one.

Rest, assured, they will come.

But God has promised us that when we live a life of obedience to Him, then no matter what storms come, our hearts will be secure in Him, our strong foundation.

It doesn't mean that the storms will not beat down on our walls. They will.

The floodwaters will rise. Yet, our hearts will be safe and secure in Him.

And isn't that what we need?

A strong foundation for our lives so that we can stand and live securely and confidently knowing that no matter what happens, no matter what we lose on earth, even if it is our very own life, our hearts cannot be shaken because we know that our eternal life is secure with Christ - no matter what!

John 16:33

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

So, Which of the builders are We?

I urge you friends, let us examine our hearts.

Are we actually obeying what we hear from God?

Or do we just listen but then walk away without following through?

Let us pray deeply about this and ask God if there is any area of our life where we are not obeying Him. Even the smallest things matter.

And as God kindly and lovingly reveals things to us, let us ask Him for the strength and faith to obey Him always, immediately.

Our God will provide. <3

Philippians 4:19

"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."

2 Corinthians 9:8

"And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."

James 1:22-25

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do."