Reading Plan:
Luke 6:43-49

Our Thoughts:
As you continue to spiritually prepare for a new year, you can ask God to reveal the condition of your hearts. Do your actions line up with what you say about your faith? In Luke 6:46-49, Jesus shows us that consistency in what we say and what we do is significant. Jesus calls us to come to Him (surrender), hear His Words (discipleship), and act on what we learn (obedience). These are three markers of a believer who is actively seeking Jesus.

“Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like.” Luke 6:47

The builder in verse 48 carefully studied the building plans and painstakingly labored to complete his home on the rock—the way he was taught. The man trusted the architect and his design, and he believed the rock was the best foundation for his house. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it when the floodwaters began to rise.

“But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation.” Luke 6:49a

There was another builder who had the same construction blueprint available. He studied the plans as well, but he wasn’t convinced he should dig down to the bedrock for his foundation—too hard, unnecessary. The second builder opted for what he thought would be the easier, less costly route because he thought he knew better than what the architect told him. He ignored the building plans, and he built his house without a foundation. Sure enough, when the floodwaters rose, his house immediately collapsed.

Before disaster struck, the two houses looked the same from the outside—both appeared to be sturdy, and both had nice curb appeal. But one was built to last, and the other was a disaster waiting to happen. Both builders had the same set of plans, the same knowledge had been shared with both of them, but only the first man chose to trust the expertise of the architect and follow the instructions. Once the floodwaters rose, the difference in their foundations immediately became clear.

“But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.” James 1:22
We are all either trusting God as we build our lives, or we’re doing things our own way. Our own efforts can’t save us. Apart from Christ, our works are meaningless. By grace through faith, Jesus is the only source of our salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9). Our obedience to God’s Word is the evidence that we’re living a life surrendered to Christ.
No matter where you are in your faith journey, no matter your mistakes or disobedience, Jesus welcomes you to come to Him, to repent, and to trust Him again and again. You can accept that invitation and build your life upon your faith in Jesus Christ, or you can turn from Him and trust your own plans. In the end, your foundation will be revealed. (1 Corinthians 3:13)

More Questions:
· What is God revealing to you through scripture today?
· Do you need to surrender your life to Jesus? Do you need to commit to reading God’s Word and asking Him to reveal His instructions for you? Is there an area where you have been resistant and need to practice obedience? Pray for Jesus to reveal your next step of faith.

Prayer:
Lord, please reveal the condition of my heart. Where I have disobeyed, I want to repent and obey. Help me to understand more and more each time I open the Bible to study. Give me strength, courage, and perseverance to be a doer of Your Word, not just a hearer. Amen

Author: Amy Fontenot