“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” – Luke 6:46 (NASB)
Jesus was a master of the Q&A session. When He was questioned by His audience, the answers He gave were like the questions He asked. They were meant to point something out that needed to be dealt with.
Today’s passage from Luke is a very direct question, “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” It can leave you to scratch your head and wonder what you aren’t doing. Now to be clear this question isn’t meant to those who are out-n-out enemies of the Cross of Christ. It isn’t meant for those who are attempting to be neutral but fit into this verse, “He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters” (Matt 12:30). This is a question for those who are for Jesus but against Jesus at the same time. Go ahead…keep scratching.
I recently came across a phrase on the inter-webs that pretty much sums up what this question is meant to convey. “The question condemns religion without the Lord and lip-service without the heart.” Now the prime example of this will always be the scribes and those wacky Pharisees. In Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 23 to be exact, Jesus just tears into them but wants the audience to understand one main point, “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things, and do not do them.” (Matt 23:2-3) I take this as Jesus saying to us, tend to your own vertical connection and be observant in the horizontal.
The question also rebukes lukewarmness. In his book “Crazy Love,” Francis Chan has a whole chapter dedicated to this spiritual condition and if you chose to run yourself through the list ya might get depressed. My own stumbling block in this found on page 73 of the paperback version and it has to do with loving others and is rooted in the following passage of Scripture…
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?” (Matt 5:43-47)
When I am receiving love from those people who I know and connect with, I am in a good spot. But those folks who can’t or won’t love me back and those folks who intentionally slight me, either publicly or privately, I got issues with. That would mean my love for others is selective, conditional and comes with strings attached. Ce n’est pas bon (that’s not good.)
You can come across as pretty pompous when it’s all lip service and no-heart relation (and yes, I’ve had the pleasure of being called pompous from time to time). We are given a plain warning to such a position, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven” (Matt 6:1). This is why we shouldn’t be raising our holy hands and shouting out, “Thank God I’m not like those filthy sinners.” This is clear violation of what we find the Beloved Disciple write in 1 John 4, “If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.”
A few weeks back, a very well-respected brother-in-Christ of mine gave me a gentle nudge and let me know that it came from a “relationship and building bridges” position. Since then I’ve taken a longer view of the question, “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” It can be really hard to do things from a “no strings attached” point of view but then on the other hand, if you’re really “in Christ” it should be reflex. When we look at this through these kinda lenses we can truly understand what the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 12:18, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.” Amen?
Written by Chris Hughes: Chris, a graduate of The Colony of Mercy (11-2003) is married (Kathy) with two grown children (Kevin and Karen) and has been a Freedom Fighter contributor since 2008.
The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 25, 29, 33, 36, 39 | You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here
Daily Quote: “The goals of American Christianity are often a nice marriage, children who don’t swear, and good church attendance. Taking the words of Christ literally and seriously is rarely considered. That’s for the radicals who are unbalanced and who go overboard. Most of us want a balanced life that we can control, that is safe, and that does not involve suffering.” — Francis Chan
This Week’s Verse to Memorize:
“Oh, satisfy early with Your mercy, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days!” Psalm 90:14
This place is beautiful! Great for a little getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Robert Rodriguez
1711813203
The bestest place
Florence Ibrahim
1711601879
Christan true and very clean and good food and speaker blessed bmy soul love it my home and will always come back again again for ever in the lord. Room was so beautiful . They work so hard to make you happy. Will try to bring family member to be... blessed hear also. I support all that they do to help men and woman find god. When I come to Keswick I didn't want to go home . That how happy and blessed I'm. Always pray for all of them daily. So glad I found this blessed placeread more
Ross Fichter
1710505821
Stayed here while we were visiting my in-laws at The Pines Living Facility. Exactly what we needed for lodging -- inexpensive compared to most motels without any loss of accommodations, and very Christ-centered environment. Plus they serve a great... breakfast every morning. No TV in the room, but that was not an issue for us, since there is nothing worth watching anyway. Staff were extremely friendly and did their jobs well. This place is a gem and a blessing to all who walk on their beautiful property.read more
Manuel Chávez Martínez
1709498094
Es un lugar maravilloso para disfrutar la palabra de Dios
Pianista Benjamín Arias
1708802888
Bien
William Dundas
1708697460
This place holds a special place in my life journey. I was Baptised there as I RE-DEDICATED myself. It was Febuary at night, so my review may not give it the right justice. What I can say, there were a ton of relaxing, peaceful locations to... re-connect with JESUS. Obviously, there was a pool, several lake's with benches. Gathering locations to celebrate, and break bread. A very wholesome Resort.read more
Adrian Obrien
1707934719
Spontaneous invite to girl talk! Loved it! Speaker was on point, fellowship and food , how better to start Valentines?
Ivelisse Romero
1707021027
Beautiful place to separate yourself for the Lord. Soo peaceful no technology which I love. Just you nature and God. I was there for a women's retreat.
Jennifer Crabtree
1706843166
A wonderful Christ- and family-oriented place! Beautiful grounds and welcoming staff. We thoroughly enjoyed our time at the conference we attended as well as the community hymn-sing. Highly recommend.
Jason Zimolong
1706837733
They've been a 5 star treatment and resort...doing God's work!
Patricia Simpson
1705193514
Peaceful little spot, so close to home 🩵
James Kolchin
1704151396
It's A Good Place To Have Retreats And They Have GREAT FOOD AND GREAT MUSIC
Kaia Leeds
1703475382
This was a very nice place!! I sang here with my school!!
Google Rating
4.8
Based on 426 reviews
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
This place is beautiful! Great for a little getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Robert Rodriguez
1711813203
The bestest place
Florence Ibrahim
1711601879
Christan true and very clean and good food and speaker blessed bmy soul love it my home and will always come back again again for ever in the lord. Room was so beautiful . They work so hard to make you happy. Will try to bring family member to be... blessed hear also. I support all that they do to help men and woman find god. When I come to Keswick I didn't want to go home . That how happy and blessed I'm. Always pray for all of them daily. So glad I found this blessed placeread more
Ross Fichter
1710505821
Stayed here while we were visiting my in-laws at The Pines Living Facility. Exactly what we needed for lodging -- inexpensive compared to most motels without any loss of accommodations, and very Christ-centered environment. Plus they serve a great... breakfast every morning. No TV in the room, but that was not an issue for us, since there is nothing worth watching anyway. Staff were extremely friendly and did their jobs well. This place is a gem and a blessing to all who walk on their beautiful property.read more
Manuel Chávez Martínez
1709498094
Es un lugar maravilloso para disfrutar la palabra de Dios
Pianista Benjamín Arias
1708802888
Bien
William Dundas
1708697460
This place holds a special place in my life journey. I was Baptised there as I RE-DEDICATED myself. It was Febuary at night, so my review may not give it the right justice. What I can say, there were a ton of relaxing, peaceful locations to... re-connect with JESUS. Obviously, there was a pool, several lake's with benches. Gathering locations to celebrate, and break bread. A very wholesome Resort.read more
Adrian Obrien
1707934719
Spontaneous invite to girl talk! Loved it! Speaker was on point, fellowship and food , how better to start Valentines?
Ivelisse Romero
1707021027
Beautiful place to separate yourself for the Lord. Soo peaceful no technology which I love. Just you nature and God. I was there for a women's retreat.
Jennifer Crabtree
1706843166
A wonderful Christ- and family-oriented place! Beautiful grounds and welcoming staff. We thoroughly enjoyed our time at the conference we attended as well as the community hymn-sing. Highly recommend.
Jason Zimolong
1706837733
They've been a 5 star treatment and resort...doing God's work!
Patricia Simpson
1705193514
Peaceful little spot, so close to home 🩵
James Kolchin
1704151396
It's A Good Place To Have Retreats And They Have GREAT FOOD AND GREAT MUSIC
Kaia Leeds
1703475382
This was a very nice place!! I sang here with my school!!