FOCUS ON THE SCRIPTURES
August 12, 2002
Revised: January 08, 2003
WHY DO YOU CALL ME 'LORD, LORD' AND DO NOT DO WHAT I SAY?
Jesus said: "The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth that which is evil, for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart. And why do you call Me, Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say? Everyone who comes to Me, and hears My words, and acts upon them, I will show you whom he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation upon the rock; and when a flood arose, the river burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who has heard, and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house upon the ground without any foundation; and the river burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great" (Luke 6:45-49 NASB).
Jesus said: "Not every one who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21 NASB). Lip-service alone will not do it. These words of Jesus should get our attention.
Jesus said: "He who rejects Me, and does not keep My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day. For I did not speak on my own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me commandment what to say, and what to speak. And I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father told Me" (John 12:48-49 NASB).
Jesus taught us, with the all authority given to Him by His Father, how to do what is best. And, if we are the faithful followers, the doers of His word, which is the doctrine of Christ, then after this life is over we are fully prepared for eternal life in heaven with Him.
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you is the command of Colossians 3:16 (NASB). The fruits of the resident Spirit of Christ and His teachings are present in the thoughts and evident in the words and seen in the deeds of those who truly believe in Christ. "And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which you are called in one body; and be thankful" (Colossians 3:12-15 NASB).
"But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves" (James 1:22 NASB).
Jesus said: "You have heard that the ancients were told, You shall not commit murder and whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court. But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court" (Matthew 5:21-22 NASB). We have read and we have heard the words regarding the action of anger, first spoken by Jesus and later confirmed by those who heard him. The good man out of the good treasure of his heart will act upon them and bring forth what is good. The evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart will act upon them and bring forth that which is evil, for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart. We see it all of the time. We are severely disappointed when we witness those who call Jesus Lord, Lord, not doing what He said to do regarding the action of anger, but rather choosing to react to certain learned anger triggers, with the action of anger. The action of anger is a learned evil; a reaction caused by distorted images and ideas stored in one’s own mind; it is sinful; and it is harmful to all concerned; and it can be unlearned. The scientific community has discovered and confirmed that toxic biochemical correlates of the action of anger are manifested in peptides and their cell resident receptors acting upon the very cells causing the production of harmful chemicals and their distribution throughout our bodies. The action of anger is felt in one’s own mind and throughout one’s own body, in one’s innermost being (the evil treasure of one’s own heart). In the New Testament the Greek verb in the passive voice denotes the subject as receiving the action. If we feel it, we are experiencing it, it is a warning signal that there is something seriously wrong - the message is quit it, and fix it. Identify the provocation, the trigger, and don’t let the sun set on that which provoked the action of anger - get rid of it. Satan dwells in anger - don’t provide him a place to dwell in your innermost being. The evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth that which is evil. Whether our anger is expressed or our anger is suppressed, it is in every case wrong and exceedingly harmful to one’s own spirit, mind and body, and very often adversely affects others also, even results in murder. Make no mistake about it, those who express allegiance to Jesus, those who call Jesus Lord, Lord, are commanded as follows: "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you" (Ephesians 4:31-32 NASB). We can free ourselves of the anger triggers that are programmed into our minds by changing the very images and ideas that are the anger triggers that set us off. How? We can choose to identify our anger triggers and we can confess them one to another (the scientific community says verbalize them). That which sets us off, our very own anger triggers, can be visualized in our minds, and they can be changed into that which is good treasure in our minds and in our innermost being, and we can be free of the anger triggers (the scientific community says internalize them). "Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is on account of these things that the wrath of God will come, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him" (Colossians 3:5-10 NASB). We can choose to put away all anger. We can choose to remove all of the anger triggers from our minds. We can replace them with the good treasure. Yes, we can fill our hearts with kindness, tender-heartedness, and forgiveness for others, just as God in Christ Jesus has forgiven us. Let’s do it. Jesus said: "Why do you call Me Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say?"
Jesus is teaching: That the sins even of our thoughts and words as well as our deeds will be brought into judgment. So, let us prove ourselves doers of the Word and not merely hearers deluding ourselves. Jesus said: "You will know them by their fruits" (Matthew 7:16 NASB.).
The teachings of Jesus Christ, practiced by Christians, equip them to withstand the descending rains, the floods, the blowing winds and the storms of life that are sure to occur, because, in Christ, they are securely established on a sure foundation. The mark of a true Christian is one who hears and practices the teachings of Jesus and one who obeys His commandments. "And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, I have come to know Him, and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not Him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has been truly perfected. By this we know that we are in Him" (1 John 2:3-5 NASB).
What are the teachings and the commandments of Christ?
The following are not intended in any way to be a complete list but rather only a very few of the teachings and the commandments of Christ as found in the New American Standard Version of the New Testament. There are those that concern our very thoughts and words. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John record 36 Sermons of Christ; 57 Parables of Christ as well as 45 Accounts of the Miracles of Christ. The book of Acts through and including the book of Revelation confirm that which Jesus taught.
Matthew 5:10-13: "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men revile you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of me. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Jesus said: "Why do you call Me Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say?" Let’s do it.
Matthew 5:16: "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Let’s do it. Jesus said: "Why do you call Me Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say?"
Matthew 5:27-29: "You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery; but I say to you, that everyone who looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart." 1 John 2:15-17: "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. And the world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God abides forever."
Matthew 5:31-32: "And it was said, whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of dismissal; but I say to you that every one who divorces his wife, except for the cause of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery." 1 John 2:4-5: "The one who says, I have come to know Him, and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in Him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him."
Matthew 5:38-39: "You have heard that it was said, AN EYE FOR A EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH. But I say to you, do not resist him who is evil; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also." 1 John 2:6: "the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked."
Matthew 5:40-42: "And if any one wants to sue you, and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. And whoever shall force you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you." Jesus said: "Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say?" Let’s resolve to do that which Jesus said was best to do.
Matthew 5:43-45: "You have heard that it was said, you shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy. But I say to you love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven." "And when they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. But Jesus was saying, Father forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing (Luke 23:33-34 NASB)." Jesus practiced that which He preached. Let us prove ourselves doers of the word.
Matthew 6:1: "Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven." We better believe it.
Matthew 6:14-15: "For if you forgive men for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions." Make no mistake about it.
Matthew 6:19-21: "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth or rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal." Jesus said: "Why do you call Me Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say?"
Matthew 6:24-25: "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for your life, as to what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor for your body, as to what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body than clothing?" Of course it is.
Matthew 6:31-33: "Do not be anxious then, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or With what shall we clothe ourselves? For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you." Let’s do it. Let us prove ourselves doers of the word.
Matthew 7:1-2: "Do not judge lest you be judged yourselves. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it shall be measured to you." We better believe these words; they are God’s words and they are true.
Matthew 7:7-11: "Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; and knock, and it shall be opened to you. For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened. Or what man is there among you, when his son shall ask him for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he shall ask for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him."
Matthew 7:12: "Therefore whatever you want others to do for you, do so for them."
Matthew 7:13-14: "Enter in by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it."
Matthew 7:14-15: "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits." True Ministers of Christ are routinely teaching others to obey all that Jesus commanded.
Matthew 7:24-27: "Therefore every one who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house, and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded upon the rock. And every one who hears these words of Mine, and does not act upon them will be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand. And the rains descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and it fell, and great was its fall."
Matthew 10:32-33: "Every one therefore who shall confess Me before men, I will confess him before my Father who is in heaven. But whoever shall deny me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in Heaven."
Matthew 10:38: "And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me."
Matthew 18:15-16: "And if your brother sins, go and reprove him in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed."
Matthew 18:21-22: "Then Peter came and said to him, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times? Jesus said to him, I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven."
Matthew 19:3-6: "And some Pharisees came to Him, testing Him, and saying, Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause at all? And He answered and said, Have you not read, that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, for this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh? Consequently they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate."
Matthew 20:25-28: "But Jesus called them to Himself, you know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and give His life a ransom for many."
Matthew 22:35-39: "And one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law? And He said to him, You shall love the Lord with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Matthew 24:42-44: "Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. For this reason you be ready too; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will."
Luke 6:35-38: "But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. And do not pass judgment and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you shall not be condemned; pardon and you will be pardoned. Give and it shall be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour into your lap. For whatever measure you deal out to others, it will be dealt to you in return."
Luke 24:1-8: "But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it happened that while they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling apparel; and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He is risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered His words."
Luke 24:44-47: "Now He, [Jesus], said to them, these are my words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled. Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and He said to them, Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and rise again from the dead the third day; and that repentance for remission of sins should be preached in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are the witnesses of these things."
Matthew 28:18-20: "And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Question: WHY SHOULD WE FIX OUR THOUGHTS ON JESUS (Hebrews 3:1)?
Answer: BECAUSE HE IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE (John 14:6).
Many of us have often read and heard the commandment of Christ contained in the words love your enemies, first spoken by Jesus and later confirmed by those who heard him. "The good man out of the good treasure of his heart will act upon them and bring forth what is good. The evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart will act upon them and bring forth that which is evil, for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart." Let us resolve the anger issue and put away all anger so that we can do what Jesus said to do regarding how we treat our enemies. Jesus said: "But I say to you that hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those that curse you, pray for those who mistreat you" (Luke 6:27-28 NASB). Let us resolve the anger issue and put away all anger, so that we can do what Jesus said to do regarding how we treat those who hate us and those who mistreat us. We can choose to react out of the good treasure of our heart, in love, and do good to those who hate us. And, we can choose to react out of the good treasure of our heart, in love, and bless those who curse us. And, we can out of the good treasure of our heart, pray for those who mistreat us. Let’s do it.
Jesus said: "Why do you call Me Lord, Lord and do not do what I say?" In the Jewish tradition to repeat a person’s name was to express a certain closeness of relation. And so, we find in the Bible the following expressions: Abraham, Abraham, or Absalom. Absalom, or Martha, Martha, etc. WHY WOULD ONE EXPRESS CLOSE RELATION AND ALLEGIANCE TO JESUS AND DO NOT DO WHAT HE SAID TO DO?
Why call Jesus Lord, Lord and do not do what He said to do regarding anger? Is this hypocrisy or what? Why call Him Lord, Lord and do not do what He said to do in respect to loving your enemies? Is this hypocrisy or what? Why call Him Lord, Lord and do not do what He said to do regarding those who hate you? Is this hypocrisy or what? Why call Him Lord, Lord and do not do what He said to do regarding those who curse you? Is this hypocrisy or what? Why call Him Lord, Lord and do not do what He said to do regarding those who mistreat you? Is this hypocrisy or what? Why call Him Lord, Lord and do not do what He said to do regarding forgiving others? Is this hypocrisy or what? And this question should be asked regarding all of the teachings and commandments of Christ.
Jesus said: "Not every one who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father. Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles? And then I will declare to them, I never knew you, depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness" (Matthew 7:21-23).
Finally, it is the Word of Christ, not the reasonings of men based on human inferences, deductions, and/or implications that we are called by our heavenly Father to hear and obey. Let’s quit making excuses. Let’s trust and obey the teachings and the commandments of Jesus Christ.
Jim Davis
E-mail: jamesdavis@focusonthescriptures.com
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