TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7:14
Read: Luke 6:46-49
Listen: Luke 6
TODAY’S MESSAGE
There’s a difference between being smart and being wise. A smart person knows a lot of stuff they’ve learned and filed away. A wise person takes what they know and puts it into practice. The contrast between knowing and doing is all through the Bible. It’s what Jesus is calling for at the end of his Sermon on the Mount. He’s calling for action.
Every Gospel writer says that people who hear Jesus teach are amazed. His interpretation of the Holy Scriptures is radically different, and he teaches with authority. Jesus wants his listeners to adopt, amend and change to the radical way of life he teaches. This is choosing what he calls “the narrow gate.” His mission is to change lives, not create smarter people. He makes a distinction between hearing and putting into practice what we hear.
Our temptation is to be satisfied with just knowing. But Jesus doesn’t give us that choice. “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46-49) means he wants us to practice what we learn from him and rely on his power available through the Holy Spirit to do it. When we pray for help, his power helps us forgive, love, show mercy, resist temptation and do all that he asks.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Practicing takes effort and commitment. What teaching of Jesus are you saying “NO” to right now? Confess that to God and ask for his help to want to do what he says, and then ask for his power to do it.
NEW TESTAMENT READING PLAN
Join us this year as we read through the New Testament.
Today’s reading is 2 Corinthians 3.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
