What Jesus Did! 'How Are We Going to Build?' — Luke 6:47-49

Tuesday, April 18, 2023

[Jesus continued,] "I will show you what it's like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. But anyone who hears and doesn't obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins."
— Luke 6:47-49 NLT

Key Thought

So often in modern Western culture, intention counts for more than action, and emotion means more than effort. Into our self-absorbed and interior culture, Jesus comes and weds intention and action, emotion and effort. Simply being moved by Jesus' words, simply being convicted of the truth, or simply intellectually accepting what Jesus says is destructive. Jesus says that passion, conviction, and faith without life-change, obedience, and action are futile. This vain faith, emotion, and conviction aren't merely short-sighted or lacking; they are self-destructive, wasteful, and disastrous. Faith that doesn't call us to act, emotion that doesn't move us to effort, and conviction that doesn't motivate us to change are empty, void, and vain. Such "religion" becomes an inoculation against holiness, godly character, and redemptive action. I believe with all of my heart that Jesus would come to us today and say our greatest need is to learn to obey humbly and thankfully.

Today's Prayer

Forgive me, Father; forgive us, Father, for our attention to just words, emotions, and passions while ignoring our need to obey. Through the power of your Holy Spirit, please, dear Father, move me to make my actions as well as my emotions, convictions, and beliefs consistent with your will. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • James 1:21-25
  • James 2:14-18
  • Galatians 5:6

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Illustration

Illustration of Luke 6:47-49 NLT — "I will show you what it's like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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