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THE LORDSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST

"Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ--this Jesus whom you crucified" (Acts 2:36). In the first gospel sermon, the apostle Peter identified Jesus as more than man’s messianic Savior — He is man’s awesome Lord who is enthroned at God’s right Hand in heaven. “Lord” (Gr. Kurios) means “sovereign ruler or master.” What is the practical meaning of Jesus’ Lordship in our lives?

1. The Almighty Lord. Jesus is Lord of all creation, as well as Lord of the church. “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (Col 1:17-18). The historical fact of His once for all resurrection proves His divine power and messianic claims (Jn 2:18-19, 10:18; Eph 1:18-19).

Jesus, as Lord of all creation, is in control of the physical universe because “in Him all things hold together” (Col 1:18). The “laws of nature” are really the uniform and universal laws of the divine Lord. The Lord Jesus is “the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Heb 1:3). Since He is Lord of the universe, we ought not worry about the destiny of the world but leave this in His mighty Hand.

He is Lord of the nations and governments, since He is “ruler of the kings of the earth” (Rev 1:5). God allows nations to rise and fall and rule within divinely circumscribed limits (Dan 4:32-37, Acts 17:26). Jesus is “Lord of lords and King of kings” over His kingdom “that will never be destroyed” by any government of men (Dan 2:44, Rev 17:14). Evil regimes, like Assyria, Babylon and Rome, fell by divine judgment because they became exceedingly wicked (Isa 13, Rev 18:2-6).

He is Lord of “every man,” who are amenable to His moral law, such as marriage and honesty (1 Cor 11:3, Matt 19:5, Rom 1:28-31, Rev 9:20-21).

2. The Authoritative Lord. Jesus has “all authority...in heaven and on earth” to command obedience (Matt 28:18). It is the task of the faithful disciple to learn “all things” commanded by Christ (Matt 28:20). Jesus rules as Head of the church like a King over His kingdom (Col 1:18, Eph 1:22-23, Acts 17:7). Jesus requires more than mere lip-service, like showing up at church sporadically, but in daily life-service and faithful worship. “Why do you call me `Lord, Lord,’ but do not do the things I say?” (Luke 6:46).

Since He has redeemed our souls, He owns us. Conversion to Christ means we die to self that frees us to live for our loving Lord. Our response should be: “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father...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 3:23-24). He has the authority to direct the collective work of His church, as well our individual lives.

The only collective work of His church authorized by the Lord is: (1) Teach the Bible (1 Tim 3:15) to convert the lost (1 Thess 1:6-10) and edify the saved (Acts 2:42, 11:26), which includes the direct financial support of men who preach (Phil 4:15-18, 2 Cor 11:8); (2) Worship in spirit and in truth by the Lord's Supper, singing, prayer, listening to preaching, and giving (Acts 2:42-46, 20:7, 1 Cor 11:18-34, 16:1-2); (3) Benevolent relief of needy saints (Acts 4:34, 2 Cor 8:1-4, 9:1,12) and (4) Corrective discipline of erring members (1 Cor 5, 2 Thess 3:6,14). There is no authorized “good work” beyond this.

3. The All-Knowing, All-Wise Lord. Peter confessed, "Lord, You know all things” (John 21:17). John presents His omniscient with piercing “eyes” that are “like a flame of fire” (Rev 1:14). He sees through us and knows all about us and our situation. He has perfect knowledge as God the Son. We can trust His perfect and wise truth revealed in the NT to guide us. “As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him” (Col 2:6). His Lordship makes a practical different in our forgiving others as He forgave us, in our harmonious home life as devoted husbands and wives, and in our work relationships (Col 3:13-22). Therein, “you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience” (Col 1:9-11). The word of Christ is priceless wisdom for living. His way is best for “life more abundant” (John 10:10).

4. The Benevolent Lord. “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him” (Rom 10:12). Someone has died and left you a fortune! In Christ, there are “unsearchable (infinite) riches” (Eph 3:8). The Lord’s ways are always for our ultimate good. A faithful Christian is immeasurably blessed and abundantly compensated with spiritual riches of grace, mercy, forgiveness, divine patience, blessing, providence and guidance (Mk 10:29-30). Being a child of God and follower of Jesus, who has all power to make blessings a reality, then makes one an heir of the universe! “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him” (Rom 8:16-17).

By W. Frank Walton