God’s Hope for Your Heart from Luke 6
JESUS GIVES YOU STRENGTH AS YOU OBEY
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’ and do not do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46)
At the core of the Christian faith is not a list of rules or “do’s and don’ts,” but a relationship. It is absolutely crucial, though, to know what kind of relationship it is, or else we may miss the point.
It is not a relationship of duty, but of delight.
It is not a relationship of fear, but of joy.
It is not a relationship of obligation, but of love.
And, it is not a relationship of equals, but one between grateful servants and the kind and gracious Master who both cares for and commands us for His glory and our joy.
Now, in the Christian life, great emphasis is often placed on the importance of “being.” How right this is! It is the first and deepest need of every follower of Christ to simply abide with Him.
But it is not the only need.
You see, water is important to the body, but we also need food to live. “Being” is vital to the spirit, but we also must DO what Jesus says if we are to truly be disciples.
To know about Jesus or even to believe His claims intellectually is not the same thing as trusting and obeying Him. What matters most to God is not spiritual knowledge, but a surrendered heart, and for that obedient soul He has a special promise…
“When a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well-built.“ (Luke 6:48b)
May you find rest in the “being” aspect of the Christian life, and may you find strength in the “doing” to which Jesus called you. As you obey God in your everyday life, you’ll be empowered by the hope of this truth: Jesus gives you strength as you obey.
-Pastor Phillip
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