Jesus is Lord

Beyond Salvation to Surrender

There's a question I've been wrestling with lately in my own walk with Christ, and perhaps you have too: What does it truly mean for Jesus to be Lord of our lives?

We often speak about accepting Jesus as our Savior—the One who forgives our sins and grants us eternal life. This is foundational to our faith, of course. But I've noticed in my years of ministry that many of us (myself included) can become comfortable with Jesus as Savior while keeping Him at arm's length as Lord.

The Weight of "Lord"

When the New Testament uses the term "Lord" (Kyrios), it carries a profound significance. It's not just a respectful title but a declaration of divine authority, ownership, and sovereignty.

I'm reminded of Paul's words in Colossians 2:9, "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form." When we call Jesus "Lord," we're acknowledging Him as God incarnate with absolute authority over our lives.

Think about it: He has purchased us through His sacrifice. As Paul reminds the Corinthian church, "You are not your own; you were bought at a price" (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). This isn't just poetic language—it's a statement of ownership that should transform how we view every aspect of our lives.

Savior vs. Lord: A Crucial Distinction

This tension between accepting Jesus as Savior while hesitating to fully embrace Him as Lord is perhaps one of the most common struggles in the Christian walk. It's the difference between receiving a gift and surrendering control—between grateful acceptance and complete submission.

Here's how I see the distinction:

When we embrace Jesus as Savior, we focus primarily on what He does FOR us:

• He forgives our sins

• He offers us salvation

• He prepares a place in heaven

• He rescues us from judgment

This is amazing grace! "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8).

But when we submit to Jesus as Lord, we acknowledge what He requires FROM us:

• Our complete obedience

• Our daily surrender

• Our willing service

• Our transformed priorities

Jesus Himself challenged superficial acknowledgment when He asked, "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" (Luke 6:46).

Where Rubber Meets Road

The lordship of Christ isn't just theological theory—it transforms Monday through Saturday, not just Sunday mornings. When Jesus is truly Lord:

• Our decisions change. Instead of asking, "What do I want?" we ask, "What would honor Christ?" Romans 12:2 calls us to "be transformed by the renewing of your mind" so we can discern God's will.

• Our resources are reallocated. My time, money, and talents aren't mine to hoard but His to direct. As the Psalmist declares, "The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it" (Psalm 24:1). That includes my bank account and calendar.

• Our relationships take new shape. Our marriages, friendships, work relationships, and even difficult relationships are conducted according to His command to "love one another as I have loved you" (John 13:34).

• Our priorities shift. The kingdom agenda takes precedence over personal comfort. Jesus was clear: "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness" (Matthew 6:33).

• Our suffering finds purpose. Even our hardest moments become participation in His redemptive work, as Paul notes we are "co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings" (Romans 8:17).

The Battlegrounds of Surrender

I've noticed in my own life—and perhaps you'll recognize this too—certain areas where surrendering control to Christ feels particularly challenging:

• Financial decisions often reveal where our trust truly lies. Jesus put it bluntly: "You cannot serve both God and money" (Matthew 6:24). When we tithe or give generously, we're making a lordship statement.

• Career choices test whether we'll seek His will above worldly success. I've counseled many professionals wrestling with job opportunities that offered financial gain but spiritual compromise.

• Relationships perhaps expose our resistance most clearly. Whether in dating choices, marriage dynamics, or family priorities, submitting to biblical standards rather than cultural norms demonstrates who truly holds authority in our lives.

• Personal habits—what we do with our time, what media we consume, how we talk—reveal whether Christ's lordship extends to our private moments. Paul challenges us to "do it all for the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31).

• Our thought life might be the final frontier of surrender. Taking "captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5) means even our unspoken attitudes and reactions fall under His authority.

A Lifelong Journey

I want to encourage you that this journey from "Jesus as Savior" to "Jesus as Lord" isn't completed in a day. It's a lifelong process of growth, with cycles of conviction, surrender, and transformation.

As Paul honestly admitted, "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me" (Philippians 3:12).

On those days when full surrender feels impossible, remember this truth: The One who calls us to submission is the same One who died in love for us. His lordship isn't tyranny but tender shepherding.

This week, I invite you to ask yourself: What area of my life am I still withholding from Christ's lordship? What would it look like to surrender that area fully to Him?

And remember, we're in this journey together.

In His grace,
Pastor Aaron

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