Sunday May 27, 2007 | Greg Boyd
For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
Sound, wise teaching has no real effect in our lives if the teaching is not put into active, continuous practice. As we have seen throughout the “Sermon on the Plain” in Luke 6, Jesus lays out the demands and blessings of living as a disciple in the Kingdom of God. Jesus concludes his teaching with a challenge to his followers to embody his teachings and put them into living action.
Sound, wise teaching has no real effect in our lives if the teaching is not put into active, continuous practice. As we have seen throughout the “Sermon on the Plain” in Luke 6, Jesus lays out the demands and blessings of living as a disciple in the Kingdom of God. Jesus concludes his teaching with a challenge to his followers to embody his teachings and put them into living action.
Honestly, living out the teachings of Jesus is difficult and challenging. In a world that is counter to the Kingdom of God, all of us struggle to put God’s word into practice. It is so easy to simply call Jesus as “Lord”, but choose not to obey his teachings. In verse 46, Jesus warns his followers of this inconsistency; “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’, and do not do what I tell you?”
To truly have Jesus as our “Lord” means we do what he says. Just like the house that Jesus mentions that’s foundation is built on rock, our lives should be rooted and grounded in seeking, hearing, and living out what Jesus teaches us. With God as our source, we can trust that as we seek him, he will reveal areas in our lives that are in need of change. We can then ask God for forgiveness and healing to renew and grow. If we have Christ as our foundation, we can withstand the messes that will inevitably come along in our lives, and begin to live out the beauty of God’s love.
In summary, here are few verses from the teachings of Jesus in Luke 6 that continue to challenge us to live out the calling of being a disciple of Christ:
“Consider yourself blessed when you’re poor, hungry, sorrowful, and persecuted. Consider yourself in danger when you’re rich, well fed, full of levity and popular.”
“Never retaliate. Live with outrageous, reckless generosity. Hold onto nothing as though you own it. Love in a way that is ridiculous in the eyes of the world. Be as merciful to others as your Father has been merciful to you.”
“Never judge others. Forgive all people for wrongs done to you. Live with outrageous generosity, trusting God’s promise that he will meet your needs and that every sacrifice you make will come back on you as a blessing.”
Luke 6:20-38
“Watch out for the blind religious leaders who get life from their religion and from their followers. If you follow me, expect to suffer, for I suffered and the student is to be like the trainer.”
“Don’t look for dust particles in others eyes but become aware of planks in your own. Don’t eat of the forbidden tree of the knowledge of good and evil, but eat from the tree of life, which is Jesus Christ. Bear good fruit, not thorns.” Luke
“Don’t just hear my teachings. Make sure that you do them. Prepare for a coming flood by building a good foundation. Make calling me “Lord” a reality in your life by living in obedience to my teaching.”
Luke 6:39-49