Many of us believers confess Jesus as our Savior, and many of us confess Jesus as our Lord. But, how many of us can confess that Jesus is our Master? Let's take a look at what each confession means: When we say that Jesus is our Savior, according to Webster's dictionary, what we are saying is Jesus is our Rescuer--somebody who rescues somebody or something from harm or danger. When we say that Jesus is our Lord, according to Webster's dictionary, what we are saying is that Jesus is our Powerful Person--someone who has considerable power or influence over others. But, what are we saying if we can say that Jesus is our Master? According to Webster's dictionary, Master-- Boss, a person in a position of authority over a business or servants. How many of us have made Jesus our Master?
"Anyone who loves their father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves a son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for My sake will find it." Matthew 10:37-39 NIV.
During my own personal studies, God brought the word Master to my attention. I started to examine myself and my life. Had I made Jesus my Master? I realized that in many areas of my life, Jesus was indeed my Savior--He rescued me from the filth and wickedness I was caught up in, He renewed my life and made me see the value in living in His comfort and joy. In many areas He was also my Lord-- He had considerable influence in me wanting to live a life that glorified Him. He gives to me the power I need to walk humbly with Him through the trials and temptations that life can bring. But, to my sadness and truth, Jesus was not yet the Master of my life. I have many areas of my life that I have not allowed Him to have complete authority over me. And that is the message of our passage of Scripture.
There are many areas of our lives that we give up to God. We allow Him to save us from evil and wickedness, we allow Him to come into our lives and influence how we live, what we say, and what we do. But, there are also many areas of our life that we continue to hold on to and try to control. Finances, our careers, our marriages, other relationships, even our very selves! We are quick to say, "Yes Jesus! Come into my life and save me from my troubles." "Yes Jesus! Help me live and love the way You demonstrated for us." But then in the same breath, "OH NO JESUS! I WANT TO WORK HERE AND I WANT, I WANT, I WANT, AND I DON'T WANT YOU TO HAVE CONTROL OVER THIS!"
Have you ever wondered why you have not succeeded in certain areas of your life? Have you ever thought that you pray so much for things that you don't receive and you don't understand why? The answer could be that you have yet to make Christ your Master. I don't presume to have all the answers as this is an area that I am learning also, but I do know that in order to live the life that Jesus intends for us to live, He needs to be the One in control of our everything! I love the saying, "Jesus is my co-pilot." I think that it should really read, "Jesus is my Pilot, I am the co-pilot."
Our lives are not ours to do with as we please. Do you find this shocking? Let me put it this way, the Bible states that we have been bought at a great price--the death of Christ! In His death, Jesus paid our sin debt. We no longer owe God Almighty anything for our rebellion and wickedness. Christ paid it for us---He now owns us! We now belong to Him and He desires to have mastery over us. Some might take this to mean that we can do nothing of ourselves, but that is quite on the contrary, Jesus desires us to live a life that is fulfilling and pleasing not only to Him, but to us. He Himself states that He came to give us life and life more abundantly. And He also says that He wants to give us the desires of our heart. But, how can He do that for us if we do not allow Him to have authority over us?
Most of us work. Do you allow your employer to have authority over you? Why? It is because he is your boss, i.e. your master. How is it then that Christ is not in authority over us? We must as believers consent to allow Jesus complete mastery over our lives. Only then will we live a life that is pleasing and acceptable to Him. Only then will He be able to give us the desires of our heart.
"Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" Luke 6:46 NIV.
"Anyone who loves their father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves a son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for My sake will find it." Matthew 10:37-39 NIV.
During my own personal studies, God brought the word Master to my attention. I started to examine myself and my life. Had I made Jesus my Master? I realized that in many areas of my life, Jesus was indeed my Savior--He rescued me from the filth and wickedness I was caught up in, He renewed my life and made me see the value in living in His comfort and joy. In many areas He was also my Lord-- He had considerable influence in me wanting to live a life that glorified Him. He gives to me the power I need to walk humbly with Him through the trials and temptations that life can bring. But, to my sadness and truth, Jesus was not yet the Master of my life. I have many areas of my life that I have not allowed Him to have complete authority over me. And that is the message of our passage of Scripture.
There are many areas of our lives that we give up to God. We allow Him to save us from evil and wickedness, we allow Him to come into our lives and influence how we live, what we say, and what we do. But, there are also many areas of our life that we continue to hold on to and try to control. Finances, our careers, our marriages, other relationships, even our very selves! We are quick to say, "Yes Jesus! Come into my life and save me from my troubles." "Yes Jesus! Help me live and love the way You demonstrated for us." But then in the same breath, "OH NO JESUS! I WANT TO WORK HERE AND I WANT, I WANT, I WANT, AND I DON'T WANT YOU TO HAVE CONTROL OVER THIS!"
Have you ever wondered why you have not succeeded in certain areas of your life? Have you ever thought that you pray so much for things that you don't receive and you don't understand why? The answer could be that you have yet to make Christ your Master. I don't presume to have all the answers as this is an area that I am learning also, but I do know that in order to live the life that Jesus intends for us to live, He needs to be the One in control of our everything! I love the saying, "Jesus is my co-pilot." I think that it should really read, "Jesus is my Pilot, I am the co-pilot."
Our lives are not ours to do with as we please. Do you find this shocking? Let me put it this way, the Bible states that we have been bought at a great price--the death of Christ! In His death, Jesus paid our sin debt. We no longer owe God Almighty anything for our rebellion and wickedness. Christ paid it for us---He now owns us! We now belong to Him and He desires to have mastery over us. Some might take this to mean that we can do nothing of ourselves, but that is quite on the contrary, Jesus desires us to live a life that is fulfilling and pleasing not only to Him, but to us. He Himself states that He came to give us life and life more abundantly. And He also says that He wants to give us the desires of our heart. But, how can He do that for us if we do not allow Him to have authority over us?
Most of us work. Do you allow your employer to have authority over you? Why? It is because he is your boss, i.e. your master. How is it then that Christ is not in authority over us? We must as believers consent to allow Jesus complete mastery over our lives. Only then will we live a life that is pleasing and acceptable to Him. Only then will He be able to give us the desires of our heart.
"Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" Luke 6:46 NIV.
WOW!!!! Just, WOW!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGod's vision as the Master is towards us all. He will teach, counsel and guide us to the way that we shall walk on.
ReplyDelete"I will instruct and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go; I will counsel thee, my eyes are upon thee." Psalm 32:8