3 Indicators of Christ as Lord
There is no Christ as Savior only! He has saved us from sin, death and hell…but He has also saved us and placed us by His grace in a relationship with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit! We could have this relationship in no other way and He must be Lord! Is He Lord of your life and relationship or are you deceiving yourself by claiming Him as Savior but not as Lord?
Here is the first of three things that will help you to walk with Him as Lord…
1) His Lordship (Authority) is rooted in His loving servant-leadership – John 13:1-5, 12-17. He loves us completely (v.1) humbly (v.3) and with a servant’s heart (vv. 4-5). Then He points out that He is The Authority and what He has just done is what Love and Authority looks like in His Kingdom. And we will be blessed if we do the same…this is how we are supposed to live as His disciples (vv. 12-17).
What does this look like in your life and relationships? Are you growing in your love for Him first (an obedient relationship with Him)? Are you receiving His love and sharing it with others? Or are you claiming Him as Savior and then struggling to do it your way (as Peter did in vv. 6-11)?
Love is Authority in Christ’s Kingdom as He clearly taught and modeled. How are you loving and leading? Does it reflect Christ as Lord in your life?
Walking in The Lord includes living, leading and loving in humility and with a servant’s heart. How has He called us to walk with Him?
2) His yoke (teaching under His Lordship) is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30)…as we submit to His Lordship and teaching we find that all that He calls us to He will equip and lead us to do by His wisdom and strength.
I must ask again…are you claiming Him as Lord but then doing things your way? Do you find your work for Him burdensome…or are you resting in His teaching and Lordship and letting Him work through you?
As we wrap up these three practical applications of walking as a disciple of Christ here’s some food for thought…these are only practical by faith in The Spirit. They are completely illogical and impractical in the flesh.
The third thing we are called to do as we walk in Christ is to know that…
3) He is The Vine and we are the branches (John 15:1-17)…as we abide (literally means to endure) in Him and allow The Father to prune and cleanse us then He prepares us for Christ and His Holy Spirit to produce His Kingdom fruit in and through us. For a great place to start regarding Kingdom fruit, or fruit of the Spirit, check out Galatians 5:22-24.
There is a big difference (and it is usually found in the level of maturation) between telling The Lord what you’re going to do for Him (immature Christian) and simply saying as a mature Christ follower, “Here am I, Lord. Do through me as you please and desire.” (Philippians 2:12-13)
Loving Christ is obeying Him and walking as His friend and disciple, which is what He has made us for and called us to. In doing so we are then to love others as He has loved us. We can only do this as we abide in Him. (John 15:4-5)
Are you trying to produce fruit for Him (love Him and others in your own flesh and strength) or submitting to His Lordship and allowing Him to produce His Kingdom and Spirit fruit in and through you for His Glory?
Love and Lordship…Food for Thought – Whichever nature (flesh or Spirit) you are feeding is the one that will mature and become prevalent in your life. We are born in the flesh so it is the natural default. Only when we discipline ourselves in Christ…in His Word and Spirit…does His life become the natural default in and through us. Which are you feeding?
Love and Lordship…Action Item(s) –
- Read the Scriptures in this article and ask The Holy Spirit to teach you.
- How can you determine which nature are you feeding…flesh or Spirit?
- How can you ensure that you are denying your fleshly nature and feeding the nature of Christ’s Spirit in you?
- Think about someone you can approach to help hold you accountable for walking in Christ and His Holy Spirit? Who might you help hold accountable?