Good morning. What if all that was required for our salvation was a simple “yes please!” to God’s offer of His grace? What if simply believing that Jesus was the Son of God, the Messiah, was all that was required to ensure our eternity with Him? What if accepting forgiveness of sin through His sacrificial death on the cross were all that was needed to become righteous? We would be fools not to readily agree and to accept Him and the grace of God.
What if? Indeed, there are those who preach and teach that those matters of faith and response listed above are all that is needed. But deep down anyone who has read and considered the Word of God and what our Lord has to say on the subject knows that while those matters of faith are wonderful and essential, there is more.
What is the “more” to which I speak? Glad you asked. The “more” that is essential for faithfully living in Jesus and confidently knowing that our eternity is secure is summed up in one word: SURRENDER.
You see, all of those truths about salvation are ours, but only when we become truly His. That means not merely believing in who He is, for even the demons believe that, but shudder at its truth. (James 2:19) It means not only accepting grace in all of its love and glory. It means accepting that Jesus is our Lord, He must be accepted as sovereign over our lives.
We know and believe the truth of Jesus being the Son of God and our Messiah. “He who believes in the Son has eternal life, and he who does not believe shall never have life, instead the wrath of God continues to dwell in him.” John 3:36 But that does not negate the reality of who Jesus is as Lord of our lives.
From the beginning Jesus was presented as Lord: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, He is the Messiah, your Lord.” Luke 2:11
Indeed, the idea of Jesus being our personal Savior and the Lord of our lives are always presented as a combined truth, inseparable in their reality. The apostle Paul said of the Good News message of salvation: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. Romans 10:9-10
What does recognizing Jesus Christ as Lord of our lives mean to us in real life, day to day terms? It means that we surrender to Him. He is in charge. His will is over all, and it is our joy to accept it and to follow Him.
Knowing Jesus Christ as Lord of our lives brings another level of security and peace. Relax, leave it to Him, allow His will to rule, allow His love to flourish. He is Lord of love, and of peace, and of joy. Surrender to Him.
Vern