Is My "House" up to "Code"?

Today’s Journal Reading
Genesis 15-17
Psalm 2
Luke 6

Luke 6:46-49 "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is 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."

Observation: Jesus is beginning to stir up the status quo. He is teaching a new way of life that isn’t about rules, laws and Sabbath guidelines, but about love, forgiveness and kindness. It’s doing right by each other, without judgment or condemnation. That is the lifestyle Jesus asks of us. These are His words that we are to put into practice. And it’s the only way that we can have a solid, spiritual foundation because that’s the only way godly relationships can truly be cultivated.

Jesus has stepped into world that was too focused on rules, laws and the breaking of those rules and laws. The leaders of His day were looking for ways to catch Jesus and others breaking the Sabbath. Their hearts were not for the good of the people, but for the good of enforcing the laws.

Application:
Judging and condemning others is such an easy trap to fall into because it puts the burden on the other person and removes it from myself. But Jesus taught a different way of living. I am to practice actions, behaviors and attitudes that promote what is best for the other person, regardless of what the “rules” are. I am to be compassionate, understanding, and forgiving without judgment and condemnation. As I practice this in my interactions with family, friends, acquaintances and strangers, I will be building a healthy, strong, unshakeable, spiritual foundation that will stand firm and tall in the midst of the storms of life.

Lord, I have heard your words, and recognize that I am responsible to take action now. I pray for a forgiving heart. Give me a compassionate and loving attitude towards people – even when I feel justified in being mean, or hurtful or judgmental. Give me the will and desire to practice treating people as you have taught in your word, and remind me, when I start judging others, condemning others, pointing out the laws they have broken, or the “Sabbath” rules they have broken that I am causing my spiritual foundation to weaken and become shaky. I pray that you will help me to align everything I do with these teachings, and to keep my “house” up to “code”.