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Every morning, before we make a single decision, one question confronts us:
Key Scriptures: Luke 9:23; John 13:13–17; Rom. 12:1–2; Phil. 2:5–11; Col. 3:17
The Greatest Question of Every Day
Every morning, before we make a single decision, one question confronts us:
Who will rule my life today?
Will it be my desires? My ambitions? My fears? The opinions of others?
Or will it be Jesus Christ?
The Christian life is not simply about believing that Jesus is Lord. It is about living every day under His lordship.
The New Testament proclaims not merely that Jesus is Savior, but that He is Lord.
Paul writes:
"Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name... that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:9–11, NKJV).
One day every person will acknowledge His lordship.
The disciple chooses to do so today.
What Does "Lord" Mean?
The New Testament word translated "Lord" is the Greek word κύριος (kyrios).
It means:
- Master
- Owner
- Ruler
- Sovereign
- One possessing supreme authority
In the Greek translation of the Old Testament (the Septuagint), Kyrios is also used to translate the divine name YHWH, identifying Jesus with the Lord God Himself.
To confess, "Jesus is Lord," is therefore much more than a religious slogan.
It is a declaration that Jesus has absolute authority over every area of life.
His lordship is not limited to Sunday worship.
He is Lord of:
- Our thoughts
- Our relationships
- Our families
- Our finances
- Our work
- Our words
- Our bodies
- Our ambitions
- Our ministries
- Our future
There is no area where Christ's authority does not rightfully extend.
Lordship Begins with Surrender
Jesus never invited people merely to admire Him. He called them to follow Him.
He said:
"If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me" (Luke 9:23).
Notice three commands.
1. Deny Yourself
This does not mean denying your personality or your God-given gifts.
It means saying "no" to self-rule.
The greatest rival to Christ's lordship is not Satan.
It is the self-centered heart that insists on controlling its own life.
Every day we must choose between self on the throne and Christ on the throne.
2. Take Up Your Cross Daily
The cross was not a piece of jewelry.
It was an instrument of surrender and death.
Jesus teaches that following Him requires daily yielding our own will to the Father's will.
This may involve sacrifice.
Forgiveness.
Humility.
Generosity.
Obedience.
Perseverance.
The cross reminds us that discipleship always costs something.
Yet it also leads to resurrection life.
3. Follow Jesus
Christianity is not merely believing certain doctrines.
It is walking behind a living Master.
To follow Jesus means asking continually:
- What pleases Him?
- What would He do?
- What does His Word command?
- Where is He leading me?
Discipleship is a daily journey of obedience.
Jesus Is Our Perfect Example
Jesus never asked His disciples to do what He Himself was unwilling to do.
He lived every moment under the Father's authority.
He declared:
"I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me" (John 5:30).
Again He said:
"For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me" (John 6:38).
In Gethsemane, facing the agony of the cross, He prayed:
"Nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done" (Luke 22:42).
The perfect Son lived in perfect submission to the Father.
If the sinless Son delighted to obey His Father, how much more should His disciples delight to obey Him. Christlikeness is learning to share the same attitude.
Lordship Changes Every Area of Life
The lordship of Christ is wonderfully practical.
Our Mind
Paul writes:
"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5).
Christ transforms the way we think.
We begin to value what He values.
Love what He loves.
Hate what He hates.
Seek first His kingdom.
Our Speech
Jesus said:
"Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34).
Words under Christ's lordship become truthful.
Gracious.
Encouraging.
Pure.
Life-giving.
Our Relationships
Jesus commands us to forgive as we have been forgiven.
To serve rather than dominate.
To love rather than retaliate.
To seek reconciliation rather than revenge.
Christ's authority reshapes the way we relate to everyone around us.
Our Work
Whether we are pastors, teachers, farmers, students, business leaders, artisans, or homemakers, Scripture teaches:
"And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men" (Colossians 3:23).
Every task becomes an act of worship when performed under Christ's lordship.
Our Ministry
Ministry is no longer about building our reputation.
It becomes participating in Christ's mission.
We serve for His glory.
Not our own.
Present Your Whole Life to God
Paul urges believers:
"Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service" (Romans 12:1).
Unlike Old Testament sacrifices, the living sacrifice continues to walk.
Therefore, it must continually choose to remain on the altar.
Every day we present ourselves again to God.
Our time.
Our abilities.
Our possessions.
Our relationships.
Our future.
Nothing is withheld.
Everything belongs to Christ.
Lordship Produces Freedom
Many people fear surrender because they think they will lose their freedom.
Jesus teaches the opposite. True freedom is found in joyful obedience to our Creator.
The fish is free in water.
The bird is free in the air.
The disciple is free under the lordship of Christ.
Sin promises freedom but produces bondage.
Christ commands obedience but gives abundant life.
His authority is not oppressive.
It is loving.
Wise.
Perfect.
Life-giving.
Lordship Prepares Us for Every Other Pillar
Everything that follows in this series requires the lordship of Christ.
Only those who submit to Christ will wholeheartedly obey His Great Commission.
Only those under His authority will faithfully make disciples.
Only surrendered disciples will use their gifts for God's glory rather than personal recognition.
Only those who acknowledge Christ as Lord will represent Him faithfully in the marketplace.
Only surrendered hearts will gladly serve the poor, the needy, and the unreached.
Only those who live under His lordship will eagerly await His return with confidence and joy.
Lordship is not an advanced stage of Christianity.
It is the normal Christian life.
A Daily Prayer
Lord Jesus,
You are not only my Savior; You are my Lord.
Today I willingly place every part of my life under Your authority.
Rule my thoughts.
Guide my words.
Direct my decisions.
Shape my character.
Use my gifts.
Lead my work.
Fill me with Your Spirit.
May everything I do bring glory to Your name.
Teach me to delight in obeying You just as You delighted in obeying the Father.
Amen.
Your Next Step
Take a few moments to examine your heart before the Lord.
Ask yourself:
- Is there any area of my life that I have not fully surrendered to Christ?
- Do my daily decisions reflect that Jesus is truly my Lord?
- Am I seeking my own will or His will?
- What one act of obedience is the Holy Spirit calling me to take today?
The Christian life is not measured merely by what we believe about Jesus.
It is measured by whether we joyfully submit to His lordship.
As we do, His life becomes increasingly visible in ours.
And when Christ rules His people, His Church becomes a compelling witness to the world.
For the greatest freedom, deepest joy, and highest purpose are found in one simple confession, lived out every day: