Why Do You Call Me Lord and Not Do What I Say?
A Powerful Challenge from Luke 6:46
June 9, 2026
7-8 min read
There is a sobering question Jesus asks in Luke 6 that every believer should wrestle with:
“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”
(Luke 6:46)
This question cuts through appearances, church attendance, religious language, and even our Christian identity. Jesus isn’t asking whether we know the right words. He’s asking whether our lives reflect the Lord we claim to follow.
After all, a name on your lips does not automatically mean a life surrendered in your heart.
The Difference Between Hearing and Obeying
Imagine going to the doctor because you’re sick. You listen carefully to every diagnosis, nod in agreement, and even tell others how great your doctor is. Then you completely ignore the treatment plan.
You never take the medication.
You never make the recommended changes.
You simply walk away unchanged.
No one would call that wise.
Yet many people approach their relationship with Jesus the same way. They hear His words, agree with His teachings, and identify as Christians, but never put His commands into practice.
Jesus says that is dangerous.
The Danger of Self-Deception
The greatest danger is not always open rebellion. Sometimes it is self-deception.
A person can genuinely believe they are following Christ because they attend church, know Scripture, and use Christian language. Yet Jesus warns that hearing His words without obeying them creates a false sense of security.
James echoes this warning:
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:22)
Many people mistake familiarity with Jesus for a relationship with Jesus. They know about Him. They understand church culture. They know the songs and the language.
But proximity does not equal lordship.
Obedience does.
When God spoke from the cloud at Jesus’ transfiguration, He did not say, “Admire Him” or “Talk about Him.”
He said:
“This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” (Luke 9:35)
Biblical listening is never passive. It always carries the expectation of obedience.
What True Disciples Do
In Luke 6:47, Jesus describes what genuine disciples look like:
“As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice…”
Notice the progression:
- They come to Jesus.
- They hear His words.
- They put them into practice.
These are not one-time actions. Jesus describes an ongoing lifestyle of discipleship.
1. Disciples Come to Jesus
Spiritual growth begins by drawing near to Christ.
You do not learn a trade by admiring a craftsman from a distance. You show up. You submit to the process. You place yourself in environments where growth can happen.
This is why gathering with God’s people matters. It is why discipleship relationships matter. Growth rarely happens by accident.
When we intentionally position ourselves before God, we create opportunities for Him to transform us.
2. Disciples Hear
Jesus
Hearing God’s voice through His Word requires intentionality.
Unfortunately, hearing is becoming increasingly difficult in a distracted culture. Many people listen to sermons the way airline passengers listen to safety instructions—tuned out before the message even begins.
Our world constantly competes for our attention. Endless scrolling, short-form content, notifications, and entertainment have trained many people to struggle with sustained focus.
At the same time, some people simply do not want to hear truth that challenges them.
The Apostle Paul warned about this:
Real listening requires humility.
It means allowing God’s Word to challenge our assumptions, expose our blind spots, and confront areas that need change.
3. Disciples Obey God's Word
This is where faith becomes visible.
Jesus is not impressed by what we know if what we know never changes how we live. The goal of Scripture is transformation, not merely information.
One practical way to cultivate obedience is to approach God’s Word with preparation and purpose:
- Pray before reading Scripture.
- Ask God to speak through His Word.
- Come to church expecting to learn.
- Keep your Bible open during teaching.
- Take notes and reflect afterward.
- Identify specific applications for the week ahead.
Obedience is where faith becomes tangible.
"A name on your lips doesn't automatically mean a life surrendered in your heart."
The Parable of the Two Builders
Jesus then illustrates the difference between obedience and disobedience through the story of two builders.
Both builders construct houses.
Both invest time and effort.
Both experience the same storm.
The difference is not visible from the outside.
The difference lies beneath the surface.
One builder digs deep and lays a foundation on rock. The other builds directly on the ground without a foundation.
When floodwaters rise, the house built on rock stands firm. The house without a foundation collapses.
The lesson is clear:
Storms reveal what foundations conceal.
Just as a crash test reveals the strength of a vehicle, life’s storms reveal the strength of our faith.
We often do not know what we are truly trusting until pressure arrives.
Storms Are Coming
Jesus makes no promises of a storm-free life.
The rain will fall.
The floodwaters will rise.
The winds will blow.
Many faithful followers of Christ have endured cancer diagnoses, divorce, grief, disappointment, financial hardship, and loss.
Following Jesus does not exempt us from life’s storms.
It gives us a foundation that enables us to stand when they come.
Yet Jesus is also pointing beyond the difficulties of this life. He warns about the ultimate consequences of rejecting His authority. A life built apart from Christ may appear stable for a season, but eventually it faces destruction.
In every room, there are ultimately two kinds of people:
- Hearers and doers.
- Hearers only.
A Question Every Christian Must Answer
Jesus’ question still echoes today:
“Why do you call me ‘Lord’ and do not do what I say?”
What area of your life is He addressing right now?
- Is there a command you have been ignoring?
- A step of obedience you have been delaying?
- A conversation you need to have?
- A habit you continue to excuse?
- A calling you have resisted?
Every act of obedience strengthens your foundation.
Every step of faith deepens your relationship with God.
Every surrendered area shapes your character and prepares you for future storms.
The goal of the Christian life is not simply to admire Jesus.
It is to follow Him.
And the difference between a life that stands and a life that falls is often found in one simple question:
Will I do what He says?
FAQs
What does Luke 6:46 mean?
Luke 6:46 highlights the difference between professing faith in Jesus and actually obeying Him. Jesus teaches that true discipleship involves both hearing His words and putting them into practice.
Why is obedience important in Christianity?
Obedience demonstrates genuine faith and trust in God. While salvation is by grace through faith, a transformed life naturally produces obedience to Christ’s teachings.
What is the lesson of the parable of the two builders?
The parable teaches that a life built on obedience to Jesus has a strong foundation that can withstand life’s storms. A life built without obedience ultimately collapses when tested.
How can Christians become better at obeying God?
Christians can grow in obedience by consistently reading Scripture, praying, participating in church community, seeking accountability, and intentionally applying biblical truth to everyday life.
What is the difference between hearing God’s Word and doing God’s Word?
Hearing God’s Word involves learning and understanding Scripture. Doing God’s Word means allowing that truth to shape actions, decisions, attitudes, and daily behavior.
Does calling Jesus “Lord” automatically make someone a Christian?
Jesus teaches that merely calling Him “Lord” is not enough. Genuine faith is evidenced by a life that seeks to follow and obey Him.