Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
May 19, 2023
Luke 6:46-49
46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’ and don’t do what I say? 47 I’ll show what it’s like when someone comes to me, hears my words, and puts them into practice. 48 It’s like a person building a house by digging deep and laying the foundation on bedrock. When the flood came, the rising water smashed against that house, but the water couldn’t shake the house because it was well built. 49 But those who don’t put into practice what they hear are like a person who built a house without a foundation. The floodwater smashed against it and it collapsed instantly. It was completely destroyed.”
Good Morning; Jesus is the rock of my salvation!
46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’ and don’t do what I say?” Well, that is the question, isn’t it? I guess that we do this with many things in our lives. Over our lifetimes, we join my groups for a variety of reasons: it’s good for my resume, or it’s good for my career. For some of those groups, we might be a “card-carrying member,” yet we don’t regularly follow or attend their events. Suddenly, the group is doing something we like or want to be included in, and we’re right there, ready to be counted. Sometimes, the group is doing something we disagree with, and we hide our membership or feign knowledge of them.
As Christians, where do we stand with Christ? Did we accept Christ because everyone else was doing it? Perhaps you were at a church service or revival, and you got caught up in the moment, stepped forward, and proclaimed Christ as your Lord and Savior. Did this become another one of those groups you joined for the sake of being a member?
How many Christians belong to Christ in name only? They come when an event sounds interesting or fun. They donate money to support worthy causes. They attend worship services because that is what we do. What happens to the “social” Christians when they are called to stand up for injustice or to do something with which they are uncomfortable? Are they ready to walk and work among the homeless and the outcasts?
As our world becomes more secular and Christianity loses its place of prominence in society, what happens to the “social” Christians? Do they just keep their membership card in their pocket for a rainy day? Will their “house” stand in times of trouble, or will it wash away in the flood?
I say that you can’t be a Christian in name only. Following Christ is not a fad, it requires a lifelong commitment. Christ calls us to love, follow, and trust and obey him. Those who embody their choice and walk the walk of Jesus receive the gift of salvation. Instead of hiding our “card” in our pocket, we must wear it on our sleeves for the world to see. No matter what the world throws at us when we stand strong with Jesus, we will weather the storms. They’ll know we are Christians by our love.
Blessed God, We thank you for Your blessings. Help us to boldly follow Christ, who died for our sins so that we might have eternal life. Thank You! In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Jesus is my rock and my foundation.
Wear Jesus for the world to see! Pastor Liz
Comentários