When Does Jesus Become “Lord”

When Does Jesus Become “Lord”?

Question:

I have been reading in Philippians and came across these verses in chapter 2: “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (10,11). When I was a teenager, I accepted Jesus as my Savior and Lord. I understood what it meant to receive Jesus as Savior, but how do I know when He is Lord of my life?

Answer:

Receiving Jesus as Savior is a one-time act; allowing Jesus to be the Lord of my life is a life-long process. Allowing Jesus to be the Lord of my life means that I yield or submit my life to Him and His leadership in all areas of my life. It means that I want Him to sit on the throne of my life.

Let me give you a “bottom-line” answer to your question.

When is Jesus Lord of our lives? Consider the following:

1. When we obey the initial prompting of the Holy Spirit without arguing with Him about it.
2. When I am committed to following His will even when I don’t know what His will is.
3. When I am available to serve Him no matter what He requires of me or when He re­quires it.
4. When pleasing Him takes precedence over pleasing any other person on earth.
5. When I recognize that He is the source of all that I need in life and I go to Him as that source.
6. When I recognize His ownership of all that I am and all that I have.
7. When I learn to turn difficulties and failures into opportunities for growth.
8. When knowing Him becomes the obsession of my life.

No doubt, others could be added, but I have listed eight for you (as I like even num­bers!) Remember, however, Lordship and Christian growth are a life-long process. It is a constant struggle as we are always having to fight the “enemy.” Ask the Holy Spirit to help you keep Jesus on the throne of your life on a daily basis. God bless!