Jesus being Lord of a Christian’s life is a central theme found in the Bible. Jesus is referred to as “Lord” 747 times just in the New Testament.
“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
Acts 2:36
Lord, in the original Greek, is the word, “kurios” (κύριος), which means supreme in authority and as a noun, controller. In other words, Jesus is the one who calls the shots. He is the boss, He is the master, the one who makes the decisions.
Lordship in Salvation
The starting point of salvation is the acknowledgment of the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Confessing Jesus is Lord implies a submission to His Lordship in every area and aspect of our life. If Jesus is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at all.
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 10:9
We are not given an option to receive Him as Savior and not as Lord. It must be both Savior AND Lord. Salvation is an all-or-nothing proposal.
Lordship Begins in the Heart
Submitting to Jesus Christ as Lord is not about following a set of religious rules, regulations or traditions. Lordship is a matter of the heart.
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord.
1Peter 3:15
It begins as a simple internal submission of the heart. Genuine submission of the heart will eventually show itself externally through outward obedience.
Lordship calls for Obedience
Anyone who claims Jesus Christ as Lord is expected to do as He says. Just thinking about obeying Him is not enough.
“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?
Luke 6:46
Saying you will obey Him is not enough.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 7:21
Obedience, or disobedience, will show up in our lifestyle.
Lordship is a Lifestyle
We begin our Christian way of life by acknowledging Jesus is Lord. It isn’t a one off deal, but a lifetime experience. We must continue to walk under His Lordship for the rest of our life.
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him.
Colossians 2:6
The more we know Him, the more we submit to Him.
Now, for your consideration:
- Are there areas in your life that you have not yet submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ?
- Are your relationships under His Lordship?
- Are your Finances under His Lordship?
- Is your time submitted to His Lordship?
- Have you, as an initial step of obedience, been Water Baptised by full immersion, yet?