September 22, 2022 — First Savior and then Lord

“I was talking with a neighbor the other night,” Stan commented one morning, “about how he came to the realization of why he should listen to what Jesus has to say.”

“Kind of like his personal testimony of how he came to faith?” I asked.

“Not so much how he came to faith in the first instance,” Stan replied. “More about how he came to see Jesus as his Lord and not just as his Savior.”

“Lord, not just Savior? How so?”

“Well,” Stan replied, “as you know, God the Father gave Jesus so that all who believe can have the assurance of spending eternity in His presence when it is time.”

“Yes,” I said, “the wonderful statement of John 3:16 where Jesus saved us by going to the cross.”

“That’s the Savior part for when we step into eternity,” Stan replied. “Then comes the ‘Lord’ part that is to occur on this side of eternity.”

“While we wait for the train,” I commented.

“Exactly,” Stan replied. “And that’s what my neighbor was talking about. How he came to realize that he is to listen to what Jesus says in order to be a disciple with Him as Lord of his life for as long as he remains here.”

“How’d he come to realize that?” I asked.

“From Jesus’ statement near the end of Matthew’s gospel,” Stan replied, “where Jesus said that He had been given all authority in heaven and on earth.”

“All authority,” I commented, “not just some. That’s pretty inclusive. Sounds like that might be a good reason to listen to what Jesus has to say.”

“Might be?” Stan asked with a smile. “How about it being the absolute reason for studying the Bible so we will know what Jesus is recorded as saying, along with listening to His voice through the Holy Spirit while we are living our lives here?”

“You’re right,” I replied. “It’s more than ‘might be.’ It’s how to make Him Lord of my life after I have accepted Him as Savior.”

“That’s it,” Stan said. “First Savior, and then Lord.”

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Bible verses to consider:

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” Matthew 28:18.

All things have been handed over to Me by My Father. Matthew 11:27.

For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. Romans 14:9.

He is the head over all rule and authority. Colossians 2:10.

And why do you call Me, “Lord, Lord,” and do not do what I say? Luke 6:46.

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus as Savior for all who believe so they will know they will spend eternity in your presence when it is time. Thank you that I could and did accept Him as Savior. I confess that too often I do not submit to His lordship on this side of eternity; I see Him as only my Savior for eternal purposes. Please forgive the foolishness of choosing not to surrender to His lordship. Please help me in following every step of your lead so I do, in fact, make Jesus Lord of every part of this life you have given me to live. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in His name. Amen.

Think on this: Have you accepted Jesus as Savior so you know you will spend eternity in God’s presence when it is time? If no, why? What’s standing in the way of accepting His free and gracious provision? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with making Jesus Lord of every part of your life while you remain on this side of eternity? As well as you would like? As well as God intends? If you sense the need for change in how Jesus is Lord of your life, how is that going to happen? Is that what you want? Why or why not?