“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? Luke 6:46
“Let the ground of all thy religious actions be obedience; examine not why it is commanded, but observe it because it is commanded. True obedience neither procrastinates nor questions.”
Frances Quarles (1592-1644) in Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers, compiled by Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert (New York: Wilbur B. Ketcham, 1895) 486.
When Jesus used repetition, He was trying to make a point. His “truly, truly” and “Lord, Lord” statements aimed to get our attention.
Part of examine relates to the areas of our lives where we hear and do and part points to where we hear and do not do. True obedience relates to both hearing and doing.
Quarles keenly notes that “true obedience neither procrastinates nor questions.” By procrastinating, he refers to the times we hear and drag our feet.
By questioning, we recall moments that can be traced all the way back to the garden when Jesus said, “Did God really say?” Related to money, did God really say… and we rationalize disobedience.
Today I did one of the hardest things I have ever done. I crossed a street with no break in traffic in Hyderabad, India. I made it only by holding the arm of the guy taking me to an important meeting. See the photo above.
It was traumatic. It felt like the old video game Frogger. Then at the meeting I shot two videos to inspire 800 ministries in the India Collaboration to pursue governance and accreditation with NobleRank.
What I learned today is that it is easier to obey the hard sayings of Jesus than it is to cross a street in India. True obedience is the only way to tastes the fruits He desires for us.