When “Lord” is Just a Word
"Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things I say?" - Luke 6:46
Sometimes the most powerful questions are the ones that hit close to home. Jesus asked a question in Luke 6 that still cuts straight to the heart. Why do you call me Lord, but then ignore what I say? He is not asking for information. He is pointing out a gap. A gap between our words and our lives. Between our Sunday declarations and our everyday decisions.
We all have our reasons. Fear. Distraction. Comfort. Control. We say we trust Him, but when life presses in, we slip into old patterns and make choices that say otherwise. And when He asks us why, we might not have a clear answer. Maybe we never stopped long enough to really think about it.
It is a bit like asking a kid why they did something that makes no sense. You might get silence. You might get excuses. You might even get an answer so wild it makes you laugh before you realize the seriousness of the moment. But Jesus is not looking for excuses or explanations. He is inviting us to reflect. To face the places where we’ve claimed Him as Lord in name but not in obedience.
Calling Him Lord means He gets to lead. He gets to speak and we listen. Not just when it is easy. Not just when we agree. But when it costs us. When it stretches us. When it calls for faith. Obedience is not about perfection. It is about surrender. It is about trust that moves from our lips into our choices.
So here is the challenge. Instead of brushing past this question, sit with it. Let it bother you a little. Let it search you. Where in your life have you called Him Lord but done your own thing? Where do your actions speak louder than your confession?
Jesus is not asking to shame you. He is asking to realign you. He wants to be more than a name you say. He wants to be the foundation you build your life on. That starts with listening. And it grows through doing.
Sometimes the most powerful questions are the ones that hit close to home. Jesus asked a question in Luke 6 that still cuts straight to the heart. Why do you call me Lord, but then ignore what I say? He is not asking for information. He is pointing out a gap. A gap between our words and our lives. Between our Sunday declarations and our everyday decisions.
We all have our reasons. Fear. Distraction. Comfort. Control. We say we trust Him, but when life presses in, we slip into old patterns and make choices that say otherwise. And when He asks us why, we might not have a clear answer. Maybe we never stopped long enough to really think about it.
It is a bit like asking a kid why they did something that makes no sense. You might get silence. You might get excuses. You might even get an answer so wild it makes you laugh before you realize the seriousness of the moment. But Jesus is not looking for excuses or explanations. He is inviting us to reflect. To face the places where we’ve claimed Him as Lord in name but not in obedience.
Calling Him Lord means He gets to lead. He gets to speak and we listen. Not just when it is easy. Not just when we agree. But when it costs us. When it stretches us. When it calls for faith. Obedience is not about perfection. It is about surrender. It is about trust that moves from our lips into our choices.
So here is the challenge. Instead of brushing past this question, sit with it. Let it bother you a little. Let it search you. Where in your life have you called Him Lord but done your own thing? Where do your actions speak louder than your confession?
Jesus is not asking to shame you. He is asking to realign you. He wants to be more than a name you say. He wants to be the foundation you build your life on. That starts with listening. And it grows through doing.
Subscribe Now for Daily Devotionals
Recent
Archive
2025
July
What Are You Hiding From?Where Worry GrowsWhere Security Really Comes FromChange What You’re Looking AtAnswer the Right QuestionsWhere Are You Looking?Go to the Right WellLet Go of the GripQuit Trying to Outmuscle WorryRunning on EmptyWhen “Lord” is Just a WordDig Deeper Before the StormWhen the Work Feels Too HardThe Slow Work That LastsWhat Were You ThinkingDo You Trust Him?Not Everything Sweet is SafeSay It or Show ItMore Than a NameThe Weight Behind the WordsThe Cost of CommitmentMore Than Good IntentionsThe Neighbor You’re BecomingWhat Are You Known ForSlow Down and See ThemEyes to See, Time to StopWhat Comes FirstMercy MovesWho Are You Really After?The Right Name, the Wrong HeartPower Matters
August
Living a Life That Makes People Ask WhyWhen Your Life Makes No SenseWhen Normal Isn’t the GoalThe Right Kind of QuestionableWhen Motives Get MisunderstoodThere’s a Bigger Story at WorkWhen They Question Your WhyWhen Your Way Gets QuestionedWhen Obedience Breaks ExpectationsWhose Glory Are You Seeking?When the Cross Seems QuestionableBless Someone TodayA Little Can Bless a LotThe Power in Just Showing UpWhen Obedience Doesn’t Make SenseMore Than EnoughThe Beauty of Broken ThingsProtecting the Wrong ThingThe Danger of Misplaced EffortWhat Are You Trading?The First Trade You Must MakePick Up What Matters MostLet Go to GainThe Cost of the CastleTrade the Gavel for GraceThe Exchange That Changes EverythingThe Bold AskWhat Do You Want?Ask With the Right HeartDesire Isn’t EnoughTotal Dependence
September
The Gospel at the TableKnow Him to Show HimSent People Live Sent LivesConnection at the TableWhen the Word Comes BackSent for a ReasonWhen the Word is FoundThe Power of the TableSent but Still SittingA Table That Changes EverythingOne Day Can Change EverythingWhen Obedience is UncomfortableRunning Never WorksSing AnywayGod RenewsUndeniableThe Power of PresenceThe Word RenewsTime for a Heart CheckWhere Renewal BeginsThe Mind You FeedGod Relates to YouWhen Jesus Comes to the TableUnashamedForged in the OrdinaryLet It Challenge YouHold On Without WaveringThe Narrow DoorGod RescuesUnafraid
No Comments