Confessing “Jesus as Lord” is certainly much more than a one time verbal statement. Confessing “Jesus as Lord” is more than a momentary event. Confessing “Jesus as Lord” is also more than a on again off again sort of relationship.
So then what is it? Well, as this video illustrates, to have Jesus as the ruler of our own lives means that he is the one upon whom our decisions are made. He is the one who is sitting on the throne of our hearts (or in this case a stool) and thus given the authority to decree and rule instead of the ruler who was once on the throne – you and I.
But are we constantly pushing and pulling Jesus on and off the throne in our hearts? Are we allowing him to be there certain times and days of the week, when we are with certain people and in certain situations while at other times we attempt to overthrow his rule?
In the future, Jesus will be ruler of the nations – he will rule in righteousness, justice and truth. Before that day comes, the church is to be the place where the future is acted out today. And since the church is much bigger than a building or a denomination, it is the people of God who today should be acting out what is coming in the future, today. So, with that being said, shouldn’t our lives be under the king’s rule? What will happen all over the world in the age to come should be happening in our lives now. Jesus should be ruling. Our lives should be marked by righteousness, justice, and truth.
There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of Davide and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this (Isaiah 9:7)
Once Jesus returns, there will be no nation or opponent who will be able to overthrow his government – so then why should we allow him to be removed from the throne he is ruling our lives by now? Our allegiance to the one we confess as our master is indicated by the choices and decisions that we make every moment of the day. Who is it that influences how you live? Who is it that influences decisions you make? Who is it that influences why you do what you do? Who is it that influences why you don’t do what you don’t do?
Finally, as the video ends, we are challenged to consider that our decision sometimes is made by in-decision. So we aren’t standing on neutral ground. Jesus is Lord or Jesus is not. In closing, a good way to consider who it is who is Lord of your life is by an analysis of the choices and decisions you have made and are making today. Take time today to think upon these things and then perhaps spend a moment in prayer looking to the LORD for help. May Jesus be confessed clearly and boldly by all of us today by our proclamation both in word and deed.
What? You mean that confessing “Jesus as Lord” does not require confession of the Nicene Creed?
I could not agree more wholeheartedly with your post!
Excellent points, Victor. The video is riveting and convicting. Even so, I like the emphasis you place on Jesus as lord of the world. I used to believe that making Jesus my lord merely meant that I now obey him rather than doing whatever I thought was best. However, now I’m beginning to look at it much more cosmically.
When Jesus ascended into heaven he was placed in a position of high authority at God’s right hand. This position is “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come” (Eph 1.21). Thus, I now understand that Jesus is lord whether I confess him as lord or not. Whether or not I run my own life or not, Jesus is lord because God has given him all authority in heaven and earth (Mat 28.18).
So, now it comes down to me. Do I want to get on board with the new ruler of the world or do I prefer to run things myself (which is really tantamount to serving the prince of the power of the air)? I choose to recognize that Jesus was made lord, remains lord, and will come as lord to administer the world in justice and fairness. So, today, I willingly submit to his loving rule (even in matters as small as credit cards).
Sean,
Do you think Jesus is the Lord of the world or he is the Lord of the Universe? despite of what Mat. 28:18 says about Jesus. The Bible says that Jesus bought us (or humanity from sin) to attain eternal life as a redemption of our sinful condition inherited from our first parents. Jesus paid the price for our sins as a ransom, giving himself as a sacrifice to God. That is how he became the Lamb as going to the slaughter ….mentioned in Revelation. In a way, he owns us as directly appointed by the Father, so that means, he is our Lord and Saviour by all means, just as Jesus showed obedience to his Father, likwise his followers have to show the same obedience as directed in the Scriptures. John 3:15,16 Jesus became our Lord and Saviour as a confirmation from God, when God exalted him when Jesus became anointed with the Holy Spirit…(see his baptism) Additonally, When Jesus fulfilled the Father’s will on earth as well as in heavens; Jesus became enthorned king over earth and heavens he exercised his role as a king with the full capacity to finish the purpose of his Father as it is predicted in Revelation with all the signs of his second coming to put his enemies under as a stool.
Wally,
both (I was using the word world as representing everything not just planet earth)
The only place I am familiar with “confessing Jesus” is Romans 10 where it states literally “confess . . the Lord Jesus” not “Jesus as Lord.” The Lordship of Jesus is a given because God has made him Lord. I get to choose whether or not to deny that truth. The point the video makes is a good one though — our temptation is to take back the stool.
Sean,
Now I understand what you meant! The only times, I read the word “the world” it usually means to represent ‘people’ the ‘earth’ or ‘globe’ or it sometimes refers to the behavior or spirit of people ( or world) as well. The way things are said, it can either give a different connotation or meaning to things. The Bible also calls Satan the god of this “world” not the universe. (see Jesus’ temptations by Satan) He was hurled down from heavens, so now he is not misleading any spirits from above regions.
Wally,
Brian,
The Greek of Romans 10:9 is ambiguous. It could mean “the Lord Jesus” or it could equally mean “Jesus as Lord.” Just a friendly clarification.
Dustin
Wally,
the word kosmos can mean the whole universe or everything under heaven or just the system of things in rebellion to God. Below is the UBS entry from kosmos
Thanks for the definition. I brought it to your attention because I never read in the Bible that Jesus was the ruler of this world. I am not going to argument over this. I know what you meant. A little extension to your definition about “kosmos” in its entire application.
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Cosmology (from Greek κοσμολογία – κόσμος, kosmos, “universe”; and -λογία, -logia) is study of the Universe in its totality, and by extension, humanity’s place in it. Though the word cosmology is recent (first used in 1730 in Christian Wolff’s Cosmologia Generalis), study of the Universe has a long history involving science, philosophy, esotericism, and religion.
“So, now it comes down to me. Do I want to get on board with the new ruler of the world or do I prefer to run things myself (which is really tantamount to serving the prince of the power of the air)?”
I asked you about your statement above because Jesus now is the ruler of the universe appointed by his Father, ( as Messianic king) not just the world as commonly known, the earth or people on this earth.
Wally,