Can I Really Call Jesus Lord?

Can I Really Call Jesus Lord?

Jesus

 

Luke 22:24-27

Revelation 22:3

 

 

     ^24"And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. ²⁵ And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. ²⁶ But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. ²⁷ For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth."  (Luke 22:24-27) KJV

     I am by no means pointing fingers, I only point one with the constant reminder that there more of the same hand at pointing right back at me.  So here it goes.  There is an ignorance amongst self professing Believers in Christ, that says if I make to worship twice a month, attend a Bible study consistently, or even sing in the choir, and I have been saved, I got my get out of Hell card, I'm under grace, NOW I'M GOOD...NOTHING ELSE MATTERS.  Just being honest Beloved.  I have had to look an enormous amount of times since November 2012, to see if I can call Jesus Lord.  What determines the "IF" I am in position to call Jesus Lord, begins with grace, begins with grace and continues because of grace.  Notice what our Lord says in Luke 22:24-27, "And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. ²⁵ And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors."  Jesus starts by showing the opposite of His desired precept He is teaching.  He shows how the "world system" operates and only benefits temporarily in this life that is but a vapor.  Did you notice how the world system is STRIFE?  It has been that way since Adam fell, sin cursed mankind and the world creating strife.  The Christian is in the world, but NOT of the world.  We are a called out peculiar possession of God, a separated Royal Priesthood.  Even Jesus says we are to not be of this world system, or Gentile way: "²⁶ But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve."  Right there, the text of verse 26, in context of the entire chapter of Luke 22. 

     What is the opposite then?  What is the point Jesus is driving home here?  He is showing by example.  We are to be imitators of  Christ, submitting to His will, following His lead, His Word.  We followed it to grace, so let's follow it to where Jesus says to go in that grace.  "²⁷ For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth."  Again, Jesus shows the opposite for the thick headed Believer.  He shows the world system, then the BUT that changes everything in the entire precept of the verse.  He shows how He the second Adam, the perfect Lamb of God instructs, leads, teaches, implies, guides, His submitted follower or disciple [one who is a doer of His Word] what is an expectation of obedience.  "... but I am among you as he that serveth."  Pretty simple instruction Jesus lays out here.  One who submits to His teaching and applies it, is able and authorized to call Him Lord.  And this is just in the aspect of service.  Not during corporate worship of the Lord, that's a given folks that we gather corporately on the Lord's Day and use our talents to worship the Lord, and spiritual gifts.  That is a different sermon all together. 

     We are called to serve in between those gatherings on Sunday.  Serve others and not self like pagan Gentiles, lost people, or the world system.  We are "little Christs" aka Christians.  Opposite of the world.  Opposite of me, mine, or I mentality that is the root of sin, by default, pride.  Do you see what is in the middle of sin and pride? "I." I is in the middle of both those words, which caused Lucifer to fall, Adam to fall, but Jesus said God first, others second, and He proved it by service, all the way to His innocent mockery of a trial, and execution He served God to benefit others.  Not taking the "I" option.

   Beloved if you won't serve here and now, you are going to be miserable in eternity, because if you are saved, guess what?  YOU ARE GOING TO SERVE THEN!  Now, you may be asking "Where are you getting this from?"  Well, God saved it for the last chapter of the Bible.  Look here:

"22 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. ² In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. ³ And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: ⁴ and they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads."  Revelation 22:1-4

If you are NOT SERVING, then Beloved, that's one area that by choice, you are refusing to obey an expected command to obey.  So... Can you call Him Lord?

Love in Christ, 

Jason