In the final analysis the one question that is the most important question we will have to answer is – “Is Jesus the Lord (Master) of my life?” One of the central truths of Christianity is that Jesus is Lord. Throughout the centuries Christians have suffered, bled and died spurned onward by the affirmation of the fact that Jesus is Lord.
In Philippians 2:5-11 we read, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
It doesn’t matter what man may think about Jesus today but if we do not believe he is Lord, He is still LORD! One day every person will bow down and honor him as Lord, even if they did not so honor him while on earth.
As Christians, the title of Lord should mean a great deal to us.
It is the title that is most used in the New Testament for Jesus. The term means that one possesses authority, control and power over another. Look at just a few passages out of the many in the New Testament:
In the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7:21-22 Jesus said, “Not everyone that says to me Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father in heaven . . . did we not prophesy in your name and cast out demons in your name – depart from me’ “I never knew you.”
In Matthew 8:6 the centurion (commander of a hundred Roman soldiers) called Jesus Lord when he asked that his servant be healed.
In Matthew 14:28 Peter said, “Lord, if it is you, bid me come to thee on the water . . . and when sinking he cried out, “Lord, save me.”
In Matthew 25 when Jesus talks about the righteous doing good they said, “Lord, when did we see you sick, or in prison .. . inasmuch as you did it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me.”
In John 20:28 Thomas sees Jesus after the resurrection and he said, “My Lord and My God.”
Peter, on the Day of Pentecost, preached Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, and said, “Let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this same Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” (Acts 2:36)
At Stephen’s death in Acts 7:59, Stephen cried out, “Lord Jesus receive my spirit.”
Consider the idea that Jesus is the head of the church (Colossians 1:13-15); the ruler over all creation (Revelation 3:14) and King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 17:14).
The list goes on and on!
So, what does this mean for mankind?
JESUS IS LORD OVER ALL CREATION, EVEN OVER THOSE WHO DO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE HIM AS LORD. Everything that happens in heaven or earth is under his rule. We cannot be free of the rule of the Lord, nor will we be outside the realm of his authority because he is Lord of the living and the dead (Acts 10:42; Romans 14:9; 2 Timothy 4:1 and 1 Peter 4:5).
IT ALSO MEANS THAT CHRISTIANS HAVE SUBMITTED TO HIS AUTHORITY AND CONTROL OVER OUR LIVES. When we call him Lord, we denote our relationship to him as a servant. He does have the right to tell us what to do and how to live. His word tells us that we are to walk in his steps and be conformed to the image of Jesus (1 Peter 2:21; Romans 8:29). Now it is our choice if we will submit to him, but the choice we make WILL HAVE ETERNAL CONSEQUENCES. We can choose to bow before him as Lord now, or we will be forced to when he comes again.
IS HE YOUR LORD?
LOVE,
Tommy!