Teachings of Jesus Luke: Faith as foundation
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I tell you? I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them. That one is like a man building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when a flood arose, the river burst against that house but could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against it, immediately it fell, and great was the ruin of that house.” ~ Luke 6:46-49
Like the wise builder who laid the foundation of his house on the rock, we learn to let our knowledge of God change us. ~ Tyler Edwards, Zombie Church: Breathing Life Back into the Body of Christ
As Lutherans, we have as one of our foundational principles that we are saved by faith, not works.
And that's true...
But...
What does that actually mean for our daily lives? What does it mean for our relationship with God and with others?
What does it mean for how we see the world?
What does it mean for how we grow in that faith?
Faith isn't something that just lays flat and static, resting us in a place of familiarity and same-ness. It isn't something that means we have no part in what's happening in the lives of our neighbors. Or something that moves us to be outraged rather than open.
Instead, faith by its very nature grows and changes and moves. It is faith when it leads us onward and outward.
It was faith that prompted a Roman Centurion to seek Jesus to heal his servant.
It was faith that prompted a woman to reach out and touch Jesus cloak for healing.
It was faith that prompted a woman to fall at Jesus' feet, bathing them with oil and her tears.
It was faith that prompted a woman named Lydia to support Paul and his missionaries.
Faith is foundational. It is active. It is the place we start. It isn't an end point. It is the thing on which we build our lives in love and service to others.
It comes as we hear God's word and let it work on us - change us. Faith deepens as we enter relationship with others. As we engage with people and ideas we may not initially agree with.
When we allow ourselves to say "yes" rather than "no," when saying no seems so much easier and is our first gut reaction.
Faith will change your perceptions, your beliefs, your feelings, and your actions.
It is the building block - the strong, sturdy building block - that moves us to be God's hands in the world.
Prayer: Change my heart O, God. Make me ever new. Move me in faith to love like you. Amen.
Like the wise builder who laid the foundation of his house on the rock, we learn to let our knowledge of God change us. ~ Tyler Edwards, Zombie Church: Breathing Life Back into the Body of Christ
As Lutherans, we have as one of our foundational principles that we are saved by faith, not works.
And that's true...
But...
What does that actually mean for our daily lives? What does it mean for our relationship with God and with others?
What does it mean for how we see the world?
What does it mean for how we grow in that faith?
Faith isn't something that just lays flat and static, resting us in a place of familiarity and same-ness. It isn't something that means we have no part in what's happening in the lives of our neighbors. Or something that moves us to be outraged rather than open.
Instead, faith by its very nature grows and changes and moves. It is faith when it leads us onward and outward.
It was faith that prompted a Roman Centurion to seek Jesus to heal his servant.
It was faith that prompted a woman to reach out and touch Jesus cloak for healing.
It was faith that prompted a woman to fall at Jesus' feet, bathing them with oil and her tears.
It was faith that prompted a woman named Lydia to support Paul and his missionaries.
Faith is foundational. It is active. It is the place we start. It isn't an end point. It is the thing on which we build our lives in love and service to others.
It comes as we hear God's word and let it work on us - change us. Faith deepens as we enter relationship with others. As we engage with people and ideas we may not initially agree with.
When we allow ourselves to say "yes" rather than "no," when saying no seems so much easier and is our first gut reaction.
Faith will change your perceptions, your beliefs, your feelings, and your actions.
It is the building block - the strong, sturdy building block - that moves us to be God's hands in the world.
Prayer: Change my heart O, God. Make me ever new. Move me in faith to love like you. Amen.