This week we are focusing our attention on, what I believe to be one of the most powerful passages of scripture in the New Testament: Luke 6:43-49. Jesus says,

"For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, 44 for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. 45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. 46 "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you? 47 Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: 48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. 49 But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great."

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This is a parable that serves as a warning; a warning that trials, tests of our faith, and judgment will come. It is a parable that serves as an examination; will my faith pass the test? Will I be standing after judgment? It also serves as an exhortation; to respond to the Gospel appropriately so that we can be ready when that day comes. It is my prayer that everyone reading this blog will respond to the Gospel appropriately: that we each will examine ourselves, not by our feelings or our past decisions, but by the Word of God.

There are four areas of our lives that we must examine this week in response to this parable to ensure that we will be left standing after the judgment of God. We have already examined our produce. Today, let us examine our professions. Jesus asks in Luke 6:46, "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?" These people called Him Lord, Lord, but they were not His. To call anyone Lord is to admit that allegiance is owed. To repeat the address is to put certain emphasis on the admission, but words are no substitute for obedience. Do you want to know what your profession of faith is worth? Nothing. That is right. Jesus said in Matthew 7:21, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." In this group is everyone who has professed Christ as Lord, Lord. But everyone in this group will not enter the kingdom of heaven. So what did the profession get them…nothing. What got them something was the fact that they went on to do the will of God.

These people call Him Lord, Lord, but they were not His. Many who have professed Christ today, do not possess Christ. In fact, to falsely profess Jesus as Lord is the definition of taking His Name in vain. Nothing is more blasphemous than to say, "Lord, Lord," and then not do what He says. These people are quite willing to own Jesus as King—as long as they can run their own affairs and make all of the decisions. They say, "Lord, Lord," but then they proceed to please themselves. The Lord will have none of it, because a legitimate profession is not one that just says…it does. A legitimate profession comes by Turning. To turn from sin is to repent. Peter told the Jews to repent and believe. Jesus said in Luke 13:3 that "except you repent, you will all likewise perish." You cannot make a legitimate profession without repenting: turning from your sinful affections, attitudes, and actions. You can walk an aisle, recite a prayer, and fill out a card, but if you do not repent, you cannot be saved.

A legitimate profession comes by Trusting. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." It is by faith that we are saved: trusting in Christ's death, burial, and resurrection for our redemption. Nothing more….nothing less. Truly trusting Christ means that we are willing to give ourselves entirely into his care. It is saying, "I am yours Jesus, even if you choose to send me to hell.

Finally or first, Transforming must take place. There is a debate as to whether we are transformed by the power of God and thus turn and trust OR if when we turn and trust we are transformed. Either way, a transformation must take place. We must be changed. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." Examine your produce and your profession to see if you are really a part of the Kingdom of God.