The Lordship of the Living Christ
“The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all)” (Acts 10:36). As the “one Lord” Eph 4:4), how do we know He has this singular position of sovereign power over all? “For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living” (Rom 14:9).
The Lordship of Jesus Christ extends over all creation (Rev 1:5), especially of those redeemed from sin. To become a Christian, we must confess His absolute, divine Lordship over every aspect of our lives (Rom 10:9). So, the resurrection of Christ sustains our faith daily, as well as issues authoritative control over every aspect of our daily lives. What difference does this make?
1. Respect for His Authority.
The risen Lord Jesus Christ has been given “all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matt 28:18). “Authority” (Gr. exousia) means “power to command and enforce obedience.” The divine Lord has the authority from God, both as Creator and Redeemer, to tell us what to do. He sent His apostles to make disciples (learners), by baptizing them into the Godhead and then “teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matt 28:19). The word of Christ consists of the 27 books of the New Testament. This divine Word of Christ is the scepter by which the Lord Jesus rules His church (Jn 8:31-32, 12:48).
This means the church must respect, apply and limit our faith and practice to only what the Lord authorized in His word. The sin of presumption is going beyond His word: “do not exceed what is written” (1 Cor 4:6). In submitting to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, we should believe and practice everything the New Testament teaches and also refuse to believe and practice anything that it does not authorize. A faithful church of our Lord does not engage in unauthorized activities, like church-sponsored meals or recreation (1 Cor 11:18-34) or instrumental music in worship (Eph 5:19, Heb 13:15), or even an annual memorial to the resurrection called “Easter.” The Lord authorized His memorial of His death in the Lord’s Supper to be observed every first day of the week, which is the day of His vindicating resurrection (Acts 20:7, Matt 26:28, Mk 16:9).
2. Complete Devotion to Him.
“Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand….For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s” (Rom 14:4,8). In context, Paul was dealing with the problem of Jewish Christians binding their opinionated convictions on Gentiles (need to observe the Jewish dietary laws and Jewish feast days). The point for us is our faith and loyalty is to the Lord and not in what brethren think of us or believe what we should do.
In fact, this devotion is reflected in every aspect of life, including our work and labor. “Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve” (Col 3:22-24). This means I am the best employee, the best student, the best worker, the best servant I can be. We ultimately work as if we are doing it for the Lord. We certainly wouldn’t lazy or half-hearted with mediocre effort. The Christian’s work reflects excellence for Christ, while not slacking off, because whatever is worth doing is worth doing well.
3. Obedience to His Will.
“Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? (Lk 6:46). If I really believe in Jesus, then I will do what He says. When Jesus says I must deny self daily and take up the cross, then I must do it (Lk 14:33). If Jesus says I must love my enemies, then I will do it (Matt 5:43). If Jesus says that if I have caused a wedge between my brother and myself, that I should go to him to make it right, then I must do it (Matt 5:23-26). If Jesus says I need to humbly, sincerely correct a brother who has sinned, then I must do it (Matt 18:15-17, 7:1-4). If Jesus says I must forgive those who sin against me, lest I be condemned by God, then I must do it (Matt 6:14-15). Even the hard sayings of Jesus are done with love, because we want to please Him (Jn 14:15).
4. Final Judgment Before Him.
“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’ (Phil 2:9-11). The Final Judgment will force all men to acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus. Yet, for those who failed to obey the gospel, it will be too late. The Lord will have the final say over every man’s destiny in the end. You can confess He is Lord now by obeying the gospel and be prepared for that Last Great Day, or you can ignore Him and perish.
Are you sure you fully believe in the Lordship of the living Christ?