Obedience and the Lordship of Jesus

Day By Day By Grace
Bob Hoekstra
June 3, 2010

"But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord' and do not do the things which I say?…Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them…[and] teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Luke 6:46 and Matthew 28:19-20)

As servants of the new covenant of grace, the Lordship of Jesus is part of our message. "For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord" (2 Corinthians 4:5). The early church proclaimed Jesus as Lord. "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ…The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all… believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved…Then Paul dwelt two whole years… teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 2:36; 10:36; 16:31; and 28:30-31).

The Scriptures often emphasize the fact that Jesus is our Lord. The opening verses of Paul's first letter to Corinth is a clear example. "Paul…to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus…with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord…Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ…you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ…who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 1:1-10).

Clearly, it is right for followers of Jesus to call Him Lord. Yet, to call Him Lord and then disobey Him is a contradiction. "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say?" After believing in Jesus and identifying with Him in water baptism, disciples are to be growing in obedience: "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you." As we are learning to walk in obedience, Jesus is ever present with us. "I am with you always." Day by day, He offers the grace we need for obedience: "Declared to be the Son of God with power…through whom we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith" (Romans 1:4-5).

Lord Jesus, I long for my verbal confession of Your Lordship to be validated by my daily growth in obedience. You are my Master. Grant me grace each day to be obedient to the faith, in Your sovereign name I pray, Amen.