The Craziness of Non-Obedient Discipleship
One of the most piercing questions Jesus ever asked comes in Luke 6:46: “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? This is reinforced in Jesus’ “Great Commission” in Matthew 28 when he tells his disciples to teach others to “obey all that I have commanded you.” It is clear that Jesus actually expects his followers to… well… follow him!
Let’s be clear: we are not Christians because we obey Jesus. We are Christians because we receive the gracious gift of Jesus’ forgiveness offered to us by his death on the cross. We can never work our way into God’s good favor; never earn our way into heaven.
But Jesus makes it very clear that if we do not obey him—or do not even care to obey him—that puts into question whether or not Jesus is our lord after all. Do you see the foolishness of it? How can we claim Christ to be savior and lord and have no intention to actually obey him?
There are many American Christians who view Jesus as fire insurance. They sure don’t want to go to hell… so they’ll accept him as savior but put off the “lord” thing while they go ahead and live the way they want. It doesn’t work like that. Anyone who claims Jesus as savior and lord—but has no interest in living the way he tells us to live—is only deluding themselves. “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’ and do not do what I say?”
Of course, not one of us obeys Jesus perfectly. We all have areas in which we need to grow. That’s what Covenant Sunday is about. We’ve spent several months listening as the Holy Spirit calls us to deeper devotion as disciples of Jesus. Please come this Covenant Sunday and let’s celebrate together our renewed commitment to the lordship of Christ. And don’t forget the light breakfast party after both services!
By the way, although our prayer vigil is filled, you are still welcome to show up at our Prayer Chapel any time on Saturday to add your prayers to those of your brothers and sisters.
It is going to be a great weekend! Please join us in this celebration of our covenant with Jesus.
Pastor Mark