The doctrine of Christ’s Lordship is a foundational truth of the Christian faith. It is directly related to our salvation. Thus we read in Romans 10:9, “...if you confess with your mouth ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” The fabric of New Testament preaching is woven by this doctrine. Paul writes to the church at Corinth, “For we do not preach ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Corinthians 4:5). Every part of our life is affected by this confession. Acknowledging that Jesus is Lord is essential to developing healthy relationships in the church (Romans 14) and in marriage (1 Corinthians 7:39). Every Christian is to be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding so that we may lead a life worthy of the Lord. (Colossians 1:9, 10).

The Cosmic Significance of Christ’s Lordship⤒🔗

But what exactly does it mean that Jesus is Lord? The title ‘lord’ means ruler, owner and master. When we confess that Jesus Christ is Lord we are stating our conviction that He is the ruler and master of the universe. In Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth. All things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together (Colossians 1:15-17). Jesus Christ is Lord and Master over all the spheres and dimensions of the cosmos, including the many galaxies beyond our cognizance.

Christ is Lord over every element in this realm, over climate and catastrophe, over economics and social development, over education and the arts, recreation and sports. When Christ was born in Bethlehem the angel announced the cosmic significance of his incarnation by telling the shepherds,

Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.Luke 2:10, 11

Christ is Our Lord←⤒🔗

Jesus Christ is master of the universe. He has been given authority to rule both heaven and earth and everything in it. Yet the significance of Christ’s Lordship is far from being impersonal. As a result of his resurrection you and I are to worship Him as “my Lord and my God” (John 20:28). The gathering of New Testament believers is designated “church” because they are the assembly of those who belong to the Lord.

In the church we not only believe and confess that Jesus is ruler and master of the universe but we acknowledge that He has the right and the authority to rule over our lives. Thus we honour the Lord’s Day as the day we receive further instruction as to how we are to serve Him as our Lord and our God every moment of our life.

Our Lord bought us off the slave market of sin through the payment of his precious blood. He paid for us in full by his death on the cross. He humbled himself and became a slave in order that we might become his possession. We are owned and operated by Him.

As our Lord and Master He also has the power to deliver us from the dominion of sin and the devil. He has the power and the authority to take us out of the grave and give us victory over the grave. He has the keys of death and hades (Revelation 1:18).

You can’t be Your Own Boss←⤒🔗

As sinful human beings, all of us have within our hearts the sinful desire to balk against Christ’s Lordship. We prefer to run our own lives, to be our own boss and to make our own decisions. We like to think we know what is best for ourselves. Yet such sentiments must be identified as sinful and cast aside.

By the power of the Spirit we are to surrender ourselves to Christ by acknowledging Him as Lord (1 Corinthians 12:3). In all humility we must submit ourselves to the will of our Master. “For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord” (Romans 14:7, 8). Calling Christ ‘Lord’ compels us to do what He tells us (Luke 6:46). We are called and obliged to give up every habit, custom or practice that gives us the false illusion that we are in the driver’s seat. We are to submit ourselves to Christ’s Lordship even if it means having to do something we do not want to do. For we must trust that He who gave his life to purchase us will seek our best interests and will not ask of us more than we can handle.

You are Not Your Own←⤒🔗

Since Christ has bought us with his precious blood He owns our bodies too. Therefore we are not free to do with them as we please. Our own body or that of other human beings is not for sale or to be used for personal gratification. It was bought at a very high cost.

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. Therefore honour God with your body.2 Corinthians 6:19, 20

Furthermore, we may not withdraw ourselves from our Lord in any area, nor may we separate ourselves from the rules and the norms which He gives to us. Being under Christ’s Lordship is not burdensome but it opens to us a whole new world. He gives us regulations and ordinances to keep from returning to the slavery of sin and to allow us to enjoy true freedom. It is easy for all of us, and especially teenagers, to be attracted to a culture which basically allows you to do what you want. Yet the “no rules” and “no authority” philosophy does not give anyone freedom but it enslaves. We become slaves of the devil, the world and our own cravings. The chains of bondage eventually choke its victims to death. True freedom is only found under the Lordship of Christ.

Looking Ahead←⤒🔗

Being his possession we may look ahead to the day when heaven and earth will be completely one. When will this take place? On the day of the Lord! On that day everything which sours the good relation between God and us will be taken away. At that time believers will confess and unbelievers will be forced to acknowledge the Lordship of Christ. On the basis of Christ’s suffering the Father has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him a name which is above every name so that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9-11). That glory of his lordship will be fully revealed to us on his great day. Therefore, with the Spirit we pray, “Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20).