That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. —Romans 10:9
Recently, I’ve heard men and women who are trying to be politically correct say publicly that they believe Jesus is the Savior of the world. This statement is, of course, true. Jesus paid the awful penalty of death by shedding His blood on the cross for every single human being. Jesus is the Savior of the world. But did you know that Jesus can't be your Savior unless He is your Lord?
Scripture tells us that we must believe and that we must confess that Jesus is Lord. We get the word “Lord” from the Greek word kyrios, which actually means owner, or one who has control of a person. Another way to say it is “master.” In today's modern world, the term “master” isn't exactly popular. Most people have problems submitting to their employers, not to mention accepting the reality Scripture reveals regarding Jesus’ Lordship. The simple truth is that Jesus can't save you from sin, sickness or poverty if He isn't your master and the one who has control of you.
The Bible says that we must first believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. This is a prerequisite to receiving the government of heaven in your life. This isn't the type of belief that you must personally muster up enough evidence for to silence any naysayer. It is a belief that is generated by the unseen force of God’s precious Holy Spirit. The message of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, when received in the spirit of a man, produces a new spiritual substance that Scripture calls faith. When acted upon, this faith will create an entrance for a man to be born again.
Once we've heard the message of Jesus and the salvation He offers, we stand at a new doorway—the doorway of faith. The reality of who Jesus actually is becomes a spiritual truth to our spirit when He is revealed as both Lord and Christ. That doorway of faith can remain closed for years and even forever if the hearer doesn't take action to open it. So how do we open it? By receiving Jesus—not only as the Savior of the world, but also as our Lord and King. It is when we confess Him as our master that He steps through the open door and saves us from our sin, heals us of our disease and begins to deliver us from the grip of poverty.
Jesus is waiting for the world to receive Him as Lord. He longs to save them from the penalty of sin. He's waiting to make their spirits new. He desires to fill them with His life and His love. The Son of God wants to take care of every need of humanity. He hungers to be the world’s Savior, but He waits to be made their Lord.
I don't know about you, but I don't care about being politically correct. I have a deep desire for Jesus to be my close and intimate Savior. I need Him to be my caretaker. I want Him to be in control of me. I need Him to save me from my sins. I trust Him with my life. I need Him to heal my body—after all, He purchased it. To us as born-again Christians, Jesus is more than the Savior of the world—He's our Lord.
Scriptural Context Romans 10:1-21
Concept Reinforcement Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' —Matthew 7:21-22
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. —Ephesians 2:8-9
In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. —2 Timothy 2:20-21
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. —Revelation 3:20
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