But for us, There is one God, the Father, by whom all things were created, and for whom we live. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created, and through whom we live. 1 Corinthians 8:6 (NLT)
Jesus is Lord! The words are easy to say, but that does not mean that there are no challenges to it becoming a reality in our own lives. When Jesus is Lord of our life, it means that we are not in charge anymore. Jesus modeled this kind of submission in the garden of Gethsemane when he said, “Nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done.”
Jesus said, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things I say? Luke 6:46 (CSB). Lordship requires obedience. There are many people who desire Jesus as Savior but are unwilling to surrender control of the direction of their life.
There is no such thing as partial Lordship. We recall someone saying, “Jesus is either Lord of all, or he is not Lord at all.” Paul said, Don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought at a price. So glorify God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (CSB)
Believers in Jesus Christ are called to bring every area of life under Christ’s rule and Lordship. Only when we acknowledge and submit to the Lordship of Christ will the power and authority of God’s kingdom become evident to others. God is determined to bring all of history under the rule of Jesus Christ. The day is coming when this will be reality for everyone, but we can make it our reality today!
A Powerful Declaration
These will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings. Those with him are called, chosen, and faithful.” Revelation 17:14 (CSB)
To begin to understand the impact that the declaration “Jesus is Lord” had for the early followers of Christ we need to understand the religious and political climate of the day. In the Roman world there were many gods and deities. When Rome conquered another territory, the gods of that region were simply added to the panoply of deities.
To say, “Jesus is Lord,” is to make an exclusive claim. If Jesus is Lord, then everything else is not. Additionally, the Roman Caesar or Emperor was claimed to be a deity. To say that Jesus is Lord was heard as, “Caesar is not Lord.” The exultation of Christ above all else is a primary reason Christ-followers have been persecuted throughout history.
The Lordship of Christ nullifies the legitimacy of all other powers and authorities. This is the real reason the world is at war with us. Today it is popular to say that you can have your truth, and I can have my truth. It is all nonsense. There is only one truth. Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 (CSB)
The powers of this world will continue to make war against the Lamb and his followers. They will not prevail because he is the King of kings and Lord of lords. As for us: They conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; for they did not love their lives to the point of death. Revelation 12:11 (CSB)
An Example to Follow
You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are speaking rightly, since that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done for you. John 13:13–15 (CSB)
The world has never seen a Lord like Jesus. The lords in this world do not intentionally put themselves in humbling situations. They have an image to maintain. They do not engage in activities beneath themselves. There is an expectation to be served, and certainly not to perform the lowliest of duties.
Jesus on the other hand said, For who is greater, the one at the table or the one serving? Isn’t it the one at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves. Luke 22:27 (CSB). We used to sing, “To be like Jesus, to be like Jesus. All I ask, to be like Him.” To be like Jesus also means to live and serve like Jesus.
When Jesus is the Lord of our life, we follow his example: You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Philippians 2:5–8 (NLT)
Jesus is Lord! For his Lordship to become a reality in us, we must adopt his attitude and example.
It’s All about Jesus
You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake. 2 Corinthians 4:5 (NLT)
Rick Warren opened his bestselling book, The Purpose Driven Life, with these words, “It’s not about you.” When we confess that Jesus is Lord, we are saying that it is no longer about us. It is a declaration that is exclusive. If Jesus is Lord, then we are not. But it also means that we are to follow his example of humble service.
When we become like Jesus in this way, the world around us will be both confused and intrigued. Jesus Christ the Lord came to serve, not to be served. He gave us the example to follow, and what an example it is. Jesus is Lord!
Steve Ekeroth
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