“But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.” -Acts 5:1,2.
When inquiring about a person's faith, it is commonly asked, “Have you made Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior?” or someone could affirm their Christian faith by responding, “Jesus is my Lord and Savior.” The reference to Jesus as one's Lord AND Savior is then a common one, and is often used habitually without very deep meaning, although a person might intend it to reflect a deeper, heart-felt commitment. My position would be that if Jesus is truly a person's savior, He will naturally be the person's Lord, as well. More on that in a moment.
Jesus is God Almighty, the Creator, and He isn't impressed by anyone's flattering title (Job 32:22) of “Lord,” and the Bible tells us as much. It will be seen by our actions, and submission to God whether or not He is actually Lord in a person's life.
“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” -Luke 6:46.
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” -Matthew 7:21.
Yet the very nature of born-again Christianity implies that Jesus is also Lord of the regenerated person's life, not only the Savior. We are talking about the repentance and remission of sins Jesus spoke of in Luke 24:47. To REPENT means that the person has turned from their old life of sin which they controlled, and now seek to follow Christ at His instructions (John 14:23); they have become a new creation.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” -2 Corinthians 5:17.
It should be mentioned here that the first transformation that occurs in a believer's life will begin with attitudes that now shift against sin, and love righteousness. Old habits may die hard, and with much prayer, but that's what the daily crucifying of the flesh is all about (Luke 9:23, Romans 8:13). We will be fighting to overcome personal sins all our lives, and therefore more & more areas will come under Jesus' Lordship-we don't arrive at perfection all at once, and are never fully perfected while still alive in the flesh. Keep on praying! Seek to bring all things into the light before God, to be certain He has top place in every area of your life.
“But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” -John 3:21.
But what I have been seeing so much these days is alarming; people are holding out on God, and never really turning their lives over to Him, much like Ananias & Sapphira in the opening scripture. They want to know they will go to Heaven when they die, but won't give up ruling their lives in the present. Sometimes I call it, “check the box” Christianity, like they are completing a form to see if they qualify. Do I believe in God? Check. Do I believe Jesus is the Son of God, and died for me? Check. Do I go to church? Check. Do I contribute in the offering? Check. Am I a decently moral person? Check. Not only do I meet all of these criteria, but the pastor has assured me of my eternal status! In short, these people are trying to do the absolute minimum to have eternal life, and have NO intention of Jesus becoming the actual Lord of their lives. Their hearts were never changed toward loving God, and hating sin, but instead they are trying to use a religious system for gain in this world & the next.
It is true that we are not saved by good works, but grace, yet as Jesus gave His life for us, so we must surrender ours entirely to His will. If the Creator-God of the universe so humbled Himself to become as His own meager creation, and then suffered a harsh and unjust death for OUR SINS, shouldn't our love-response to Him be to give our whole selves back to Him?
"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." -I John 4:10.
Most of us know the story of Ananias & Sapphira that was mentioned in the opening verses, but Acts 5:1-10 has the full story. Some see their greed, some see the lie, but I look at it as a "holding out" on God; keeping one foot in the world, and never fully surrendering their lives to God the Father. Don't do that! It is well worth it to make Jesus the true Lord of your life, and trying to get away with a lesser commitment would only show how little value you place on His sacrifice. The first and great commandment is still in effect today;
"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment." -Matthew 22:37,38.
"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves." -2 Corinthians 13:5A.
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