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Why Call Ye Me LORD, LORD
and Do Not the Things Which I Say?
Luke 6:46

For the last several days, I have been mulling this question over in my mind.  Taken from Jesus' illustrations (a.k.a. wise man and foolish man), this question is more than what it may seem on the surface when one takes the time to consider it in detail.  It is more than just a choice between wisdom and folly, but calls for a searching of the soul for some reasons as to why we make the choices we do.  Let's take a moment and consider this question a little closer.

First, let's consider the fact that it is an interrogative.  In particular this question does not seek a simple yes or no answer, nor does it seek a simple one word rote answer.  It seeks for a reason when it begins with the word "WHY".  These types of questions cause us to do a little more digging.  They cause us to reflect and consider the basis for our actions, and often make us uncomfortable when asked.

Consider the following illustration:
"Little Billy just hit his sister Susie.  Susie begins to cry and so mom asks Billy, 'Did you hit your sister?' to which Billy says yes.  Now Billy has made an admission, but he is not confronted with the reasons he chose his actions.  Or had mom just asked, 'Billy, what did you do?' the result is the same.  However, when asked the question, 'Billy, why did you hit your sister?' more useful information can be gleaned.  Maybe Susie pinched Billy, or maybe Billy was just being mean.  Regardless, the question has forced Billy to come to grips with his reasons for his choices."

In similar fashion, the interrogative in this passage can produce some valuable answers that can get to the core of our foolish choices.

The second consideration that we will look at is the idea of "Why call ye me Lord, Lord?"  To call means to hail or acclaim.  There are many reasons to proclaim Jesus as Lord, but may I go a little deeper and ask you your reasons for calling him Lord?  One of the things I notice about this is WHAT He is being called.  The word Lord in this passage means one who is "supreme in authority" or "one who controls."  These thoughts establish the idea of Christ's preeminent (above others) authority.  There is no doubt that Christ deserves to be hailed as Lord when I consider he created us, he loved us, he died for us, and his is preparing a future for us.

I also see the WAY he is called Lord twice.  Repetition in scripture adds emphasis.  It seems as if they were wholly committed to allowing Christ to have authority.  That would be great if the question ended there, but it doesn't.  The real soul searching starts for the hearers at this point.  When we look at this final aspect of the question, we are forced to face our hypocrisy.  Why would we say one thing, and then immediately negate it by our actions.  I am reminded of a similar question in the book of Malachi 1:6 that says, "A son honoreth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is my honor? and if I be a master, where is my fear?"  This question leads us to face the fact that our declarations need to be supported by our actions.  I believe this is what James 2:14 is getting at when it says, "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works?"  Faith being our declaration, while work is our actions.  Our actions must always support our declarations, or our declarations become meaningless, dead words.  It is here that the rubber meets the road.  Is there known disobedience in our lives, that for all practical purposes pulls Christ down off of what is His rightful place of authority, and negates the fact that we call him Lord, Lord?  It is for us to do some real soul searching like David in the Psalms when he prays, "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me. . ." Psalm 139:23,24.

To His Glory,

Pastor Haymaker