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

Tuesday, April 18, 2023

Merry Christmas!

We pray the Lord blesses you with the grace of Jesus' presence this Christmas!

 Read More
[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

Comments

Archived Facebook Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Tuesday, April 18, 2023

Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'I Will Sing Praise to Your Name' (Ps. 9:2)
"I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Genesis 32:12
"When Jacob was on the other side of the brook Jabbok, and Esau was coming with armed men, he earnestly sought God's protection, and as a master reason..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Too Deep for Words' (Ro. 8:26)
"Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep...."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'The Seed of Hope Sown in a Field of Hate'
"[When Stephen told the Jewish leaders that he saw the Son of Man at God's right hand,] they put their hands over their ears and began shouting. They...."

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.

More What Jesus Did!