There is no skirting the issue in this question. If Jesus is truly Lord we will obediently follow His teachings and commands. Yet, how often do our routine lives reflect something different? How often do we find ourselves living contrary to the way of holiness rather than in harmony with it? Why is it that we call Jesus Lord and do not do as He says?
Having pondered this question I have come with some possible reasons why we would call Him Lord but not obey Him. The most obvious answer, and the one implied by Jesus in His question, is that He is not truly Lord. We call Him Lord, but have not sold out to Him. We have not surrendered our hearts, wills - our whole lives to Him. We remain in control. We want a Savior, friend, helper, but not a Lord. It is easy to call Him Lord. It is exceedingly difficult to submit to His Lordship. Indeed, it is impossible to submit a part from the empowerment of His grace and Spirit.
A second reason for this contradiction in our lives is that we do not understand Lordship. We live in a society where lordship on any level is questioned. Self is elevated to lordship status and if there is one in authority over us we require it to be a shared authority. We don't want a master, a lord, a boss. We want to have our say. We want to dialogue about things. We want a vote in the decision. We want reasons for what we are ask (with emphasis on "ask") to do. Lordship is not familiar to or desired by us. But our lack of understanding does not release us from our need or our responsibility. His Word is clear and our need is abundantly evident. If Jesus is not Lord we cannot be His disciple. To be His disciple we must surrender to His absolute Lordship. No fence sitting or partial commitment will suffice. His is Lord of all or He is not Lord at all.
A third possible reason for our lack of obedience is that we don't pay attention. We don't listen. We are too busy taking care of things and doing it our way to hear what Jesus is saying to us. We are educated people. We know how things should be done. And off we go calling Jesus Lord but never giving Him our total concentration. We are too busy taking people to court to hear Him say "settle matters on the way." We are too busy complaining about going one mile to hear Him say, "when ask to go one mile, go two." We are too busy fighting back and getting even to hear Him say, "turn the other cheek; forgive; clothe your enemy; do good to those who persecute you" We are too busy making sure we get our "rights" and our "just deserves" to hear Him say, "lay down your life." We just aren't paying attention. This does not excuse our behavior. A disciple is a "follower" and one cannot follow unless he is paying attention to the One Who is leading.
After asking the question Jesus went on to state and illustrate three foundational factors in knowing Him has Lord. "I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete." (Luke 6:47-49)
Having Jesus as Lord means that we come to Him. We come to Him as Savior, Sanctifier, Lord. We come to Him about everything. We do nothing without consulting Him and His Word. We hear His Word. We Listen very carefully to Him. And we obey. We put His Word into practice. He is Master. He calls the shots. He tells us His way and we walk in it. Yes, His disciples come to Him, hear His Words and put them into practice. Beloved, by the power of His Spirit, let us live in such a way that Jesus never has to ask this question to us. Let our Words and deeds proclaim rejoicingly, Jesus is Lord!
Keep Close To Jesus
Pastor Gerry