“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ (Saviour).”
Acts 2:36 (NIV)
Lordship is one of the central messages of the Bible. Jesus is referred to as ‘Lord’ 92 times in the book of Acts and 747 times in the whole New Testament, while being referred to as ‘Saviour’ only twice in Acts and 24 times in the New Testament. The biblical emphasis is overwhelmingly on the concept of Lordship. Lord means master, the one who rules. The one who makes the decisions.
Lordship Begins in the Heart
“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”
1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)
Submitting to Christ as Lord is not about following a set of religious rules and traditions. Rather, Lordship is a matter of the heart. Lordship begins as an internal submission because of the hope that we have in our hearts. This kind of hope, if genuine, will eventually manifest itself in outward obedience.
Lordship and Salvation
“That if you confess 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 (NIV)
The starting point of salvation is the acknowledgment of the Lordship of Christ. Confessing Jesus as Lord implies a submission to His Lordship in every area of life. If Jesus is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at all. We cannot receive Him as Saviour whilst we reject Him as Lord over our lives. Salvation is an ‘all or nothing’ faith.
Lordship and Love
“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’”
Matthew 22:37 (NIV)
God is both Saviour (Messiah) and Lord. Because He is Lord, we ask Him to save us from our condition of being separated from Him. Only knowing Him as Saviour, will lead us into love without truth. Only knowing Him as Lord, will lead us into truth without love.
When we know Him as Lord and Saviour, we will love to obey truth and we will grow up. Our obedience to Him is a natural outflow of our love for Him, and our love for Him will always overflow into obeying Him.
“If you love Me, you will obey what I command.”
John 14:15 (NIV)
This Scripture is at the heart of Lordship, if we don’t love God we will always battle to obey Him. If we do love Him, obeying Him will not be a problem.
Lordship Demands Obedience
“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things I say?"
Luke 6:46 (NKJV)
‘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 (TNIV)
Anyone who claims Christ as their Lord is expected to do what He says. Intellectual faith and empty confession is not enough. If we say Christ is our Lord, our lifestyle should back up our claim.
Lordship is a Continuous Walk
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him.”
Colossians 2:6 (TNIV)
“Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did.” 1 John 2:6 (NIV)
We begin our Christian life by acknowledging that Jesus is Lord. We must continue to walk under His Lordship for the rest of our lives. Lordship is not having a one-time experience with God, but developing a lifetime walk with God. The more we know Him, the more we submit to Him.
QUESTIONS
• Have you made Jesus Lord in your heart? Do you feel you must obey Him, or is there a desire to obey Him because of your love for Him?
• Are there areas in your life that you have not yet submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ?
• Are your relationships under His Lordship?
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.”
Matthew 6:33 (NLT)
• Based on Matthew 6:33 is your time managed in a way that honours God and builds His kingdom?
• Are you faithfully serving God's kingdom and spiritual family with your talents? Where are you serving in your local church?
• Are your finances stewarded in a way that you can be generous towards God, in tithes and offerings, and towards other people?
This Week:
• I will apply
• I will share with.