He Must Be It!

As Paul attempted to move the view of some in Rome from seeking to obtain righteousness through observing the Jewish Law to recognizing the adequacy of the provision of salvation in Christ (i.e. Romans 8:3-4), he pointed to the need for recognizing the LORDSHIP of Jesus! That LORDSHIP is to be believed within the heart and acknowledged verbally. ( Romans 10:9-10) Just as it is with regard to sin that all (Jews and Greeks or Jews and Gentiles) are in the same boat ( Romans 3:9), so it is with regard to acknowledging Jesus’ LORDSHIP.

Paul unequivocally stated…
“For there is NO DISTINCTION BETWEEN JEW AND GREEK; the SAME LORD IS LORD OF ALL, bestowing his riches on ALL WHO CALL ON HIM.” ( Romans 10:12 ESV)

It is not all who call upon the Law. Neither is it all who call upon themselves. It is those who call on the LORD. According to the next verse ( Romans 10:13), “everyone” who does so will be saved. (Bear in mind, according to Romans 6:3, Paul was addressing baptized believers here.) However, Jesus had stated that “not everyone” who said to Him, “Lord, Lord”
would enter the kingdom of heaven. ( Matthew 7:21) Do we have a contradiction of Scripture? No! The LORDSHIP of Jesus must be given more than mere verbal acknowledgment. Jesus went on to point out the need of “doing the will” of the Father. Therefore, to call on the Name of the LORD is to truly acknowledge Him as BEING LORD of our life.

If we truly acknowledge the LORDSHIP of Jesus our focus must move away from our own desires as we willingly accept His for our life. He is the one to call the shots. Just saying His Name and labeling our actions with it does not make our works (regardless of how good they might be) His Will. ( Matthew 7:22-23) The focus of our life must be ON HIM! He is the One to sit on the throne of our heart! He is to be held as Sovereign over all our wishes and desires. He is the One to be in complete charge of our life.

What is our life saying about the LORDSHIP of Jesus? Who do our choices reflect as truly being in charge? We could have no better Master than He Who has our ultimate good and eternal blessings in mind, having provided adequately for His riches to become ours. May we let Jesus have the place in our life that is rightfully His, allowing His Will to always prevail in our daily walk onward toward a glorious eternity with Him.

Have a great day LIVING A CHRIST MASTERED LIFE!
Carl

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