LORD of ALL, or not Lord at all! – Part 2
See also Part One here.
I want to look further at my previous study of the “Lordship factor” necessary for believers to understand a foundational truth in our progress towards maturity in this hour.
As a review, let’s look at the two points we shared previously:
1. Lordship Means Surrender to His Sovereignty
The most perfect expression of the Lordship of Jesus is found in the letter to the Romans.
“For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.” Romans 14:7-9.
No words could express more plainly than these that the purpose of Christ’s death and resurrection was to win undisputed Lordship over man. “To this end” or “For this purpose” He died on the cross.
2. Lordship Means Surrender to His Ownership
There is a place in your heart called a throne. Someone always occupies that place. The three rival claimants are Christ, Self and the Devil.
Which of these is on the throne even now as you read this?
Heaven will yield to no rival. Jesus will accept no divided allegiance. Spirit soul and body alike belong to Him!
We will continue with point number 3
3. Lordship Means Surrender to His Protection
The Apostle Peter wrote in his first epistle to a group of Christians who were exposed to bitter persecution for Christ’s sake; hence the Apostle has much to say about fidelity in suffering:
“And who,” he asks, “will be able to harm you, if you show yourselves zealous for that which is good?
So do not be alarmed by their threats, nor troubled; but in your hearts consecrate Christ as Lord, being always ready to make your defense to anyone who asks from you a reason for the hope which you cherish.” 1 Peter 3:13-15 Weymouth.
The Wiesinger translation says it like this;
“Care only for this, that your hearts may be a temple of Christ, in which becoming honor may be given to Him as Lord; then will nothing further disturb you.”
The Passion Translation is even more clear:
“Why would anyone harm you if you’re passionate and devoted to pleasing God? But even if you happen to suffer for doing what is right, you will have the joyful experience of the blessing of God. And don’t be intimidated or terrified by those who would terrify you. But give reverent honor in your hearts to the Anointed One and treat him as the holy Master of your lives. And if anyone asks about the hope living within you, always be ready to explain your faith.”
In other words, make Jesus Lord and King of your life, and you have nothing to fear from devils or from men. The worst the world can do to you is threaten you with heaven!
The very purpose of government is the welfare of the governed. Nothing stirs a nation to indignation and action quicker than an indignity done to one of its citizens.
If you can put your hand on your heart and say, without compromise or reservation, “Thine is the Kingdom!” who shall harm you? He that touches you touches the apple of His eye!
The kingdom is the dominion over which the king reigns. The question is: “Who is King?”
If in answer to that question you can unhesitatingly say: “Jesus is King!”: then you may confidently depend upon Him to protect His Kingdom.
I would like to quote Psalm 91 from the Passion Translation for you to emphasize the true significance of His protection:
“When you sit enthroned under the shadow of Shaddai,you are hidden in the strength of God Most High.
He’s the hope that holds me and the Stronghold to shelter me,the only God for me, and my great confidence.
He will rescue you from every hidden trap of the enemy,and he will protect you from false accusation and any deadly curse.
His massive arms are wrapped around you, protecting you.
You can run under his covering of majesty and hide.
His arms of faithfulness are a shield keeping you from harm.
You will never worry about an attack of demonic forces at night nor have to fear a spirit of darkness coming against you.
Don’t fear a thing!
Whether by night or by day, demonic danger will not trouble you, nor will the powers of evil launched against you. Even in a time of disaster, with thousands and thousands being killed, you will remain unscathed and unharmed.
You will be a spectator as the wicked perish in judgment, for they will be paid back for what they have done! When we live our lives within the shadow of God Most High, our secret hiding place, we will always be shielded from harm.
How then could evil prevail against us or disease infect us?
God sends angels with special orders to protect you wherever you go, defending you from all harm.
If you walk into a trap, they’ll be there for you and keep you from stumbling. You’ll even walk unharmed among the fiercest powers of darkness, trampling every one of them beneath your feet!
For here is what the Lord has spoken to me: “Because you have delighted in me as my great lover, I will greatly protect you.
I will set you in a high place, safe and secure before My face.
I will answer your cry for help every time you pray, and you will find and feel My presence even in your time of pressure and trouble.
I will be your glorious hero and give you a feast.
You will be satisfied with a full life and with all that I do for you.
For you will enjoy the fullness of my salvation!” Psalm 91.
4. Lordship Means Surrender to His Enabling
“No man can say that Jesus is Lord, but by the Holy Spirit” 1 Corinthians 12:3.
You can say it easily with the lips, but the passage means something far deeper; it means saying it with your life!
It is the Holy Spirit alone who can present and enforce the claims of Jesus to the Lordship of your life.
Only He can put this blessed ideal into a sinful and divided soul. Only He can show the dishonesty of compromise and reservation.
Only He can detach you from the things you once loved and spoil you forever for “the vain things that charmed you most.”
Only He can enthrone Jesus in the yielded heart and enable you to sanctify Christ as LORD.
His activities do not cease when Jesus has been enthroned. He will constantly discover new territory which He covets for the King. He will enable you to apply the principle of absolute surrender as you yield more and more completely to His guidance.
During my days in the Army, I recall a Field Manual that stated that all the time allowed for a soldier to respond in obedience to a command was one-sixth of a second – just long enough for the brain to telegraph instructions to the hand or foot the necessary response – to prove their obedience and compliance.
Why is it then that the Great Commander has to say so often to so many: “Why call ye Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things that I say?”
Even Jesus Himself admitted His total reliance on His Father during His earthly life and ministry.
“Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.” John 5:19.
We have such promises as Philippians 4:13.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” Philippians 4:13.
Some would say they do not know the voice of God as well as they should and therefore are uncertain of when He speaks.
But true surrender to His Lordship will be modeled in a giving of oneself diligently and earnestly to Him – especially in your ability to hear what He is saying.
We are without excuse!
If He is not Lord of All, He is not Lord at all!
See also Part One here.
For His glory,
~ Bruce Allen
Dr. Bruce Allen, is the founder of Still Waters International Ministries, PO Box 1001 Chewelah WA, 99109 United States. It is Bruce’s passion to see the Body of Christ awaken to their destiny in this hour by equipping them to hear God’s voice and access the reality of the supernatural in every day life.
Blessings.