Foundations

Luke 6:40 The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher. v.41...first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. v.44...Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. v.45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.


A great many of Jesus' students get carried away with their own zealotry in their doctrines and their daily practices, and actually try to outdo the simple grace that Jesus taught. The mark of a well trained disciple is that he teaches and behaves in the same manner as his teacher. Jesus didn't debate. He didn't demonstrate in the streets. He didn't challenge the government. He didn't embellish the law. He brought a message that must be heard to a people who must hear it. They would decide whether to believe Him or not, love Him or not, honor Him or not. If they chose to believe and follow Him, they would do well to learn to emulate His method and demeanor. When believers try to outdo our Lord, they begin to make public asses of themselves and bring shame to the Body of Christ.
Hypocrisy will show up, especially when we try to "correct" our fellows. We compare human good to human good, or criticize the behavior of others, when the only standard is divine good. Our own souls are the ones we should examine.
What is produced in our life (fruit) identifies what type of person we are. Production of conflict, strife and human good identifies us with the world. Production of grace, peace and divine good identifies us with Jesus Christ.
What comes out of one's mouth, brethren, reveals what is in one's heart. "I didn't mean it" is a lie. You did mean it or you would not have spoken it. You may regret having said it, but you meant it at the time. Where did it come from? Out of the air? No, it was stored in your soul. Emotions cannot think, and emotions will spew out what rises to the surface. Think grace, peace, love and optimism and that is what you will express.

Remember, these are not works for salvation, but the characteristics of a mature (fully trained) believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. The result of a life of studying and loving Him. It is a pattern for believers to cultivate. We are instantaneously and eternally saved when we believe in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross, but we are not instantly mature. That takes some time. Be patient with yourself, but don't settle for worldly thinking. You are not world anymore.

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” Luke 6:46-49

Lord: Kurios, as it is used here. Supreme authority. Well, this is a good question. You're acknowledging Jesus as Lord, but ignoring His teachings. "Oh, He is so wonderfully knowing and kind and gracious. His doctrine makes so much sense. It just feels good, being in His company. Besides, He has the power to heal. But I know my little life doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things. Those practices are for others to cultivate, I'll just follow and hope to 'get a blessing'." Well, your house has no foundation. Storms of life are coming. Count on it. And your house (temporary allegiance) will surely fall. Those who hear and do Jesus' words (Bible Doctrine) are building an edifice in their souls, large and complex, on a firm foundation (This Rock, Jesus Christ), which cannot be shaken by storms and floods of life, but will stand with strength and resilience, whatever the world brings our way.