What does "one Lord" mean for our daily submission to Christ's authority? One Lord: Singular Allegiance “one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians 4:5) • “One” leaves no room for rivals. Jesus holds exclusive sovereign rights over every sphere of life. • Lord (Greek kyrios) speaks of absolute ownership; He is Master, we are servants (Luke 6:46). • Because Scripture is true and literal, His claim is not symbolic; it is binding reality. Lordship Affirmed Throughout Scripture • Acts 2:36—“God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” • Romans 10:9—Confessing “Jesus is Lord” is the heart of saving faith. • Philippians 2:10-11—Every knee will bow; daily submission now anticipates that universal moment. • Colossians 1:16-18—All things were created “through Him and for Him… so that in everything He might be preeminent.” Daily Submission: What It Looks Like • Priority—His will first in scheduling, spending, and serving. • Obedience—Immediate, wholehearted response to His Word without bargaining. • Dependence—Prayerful reliance, refusing self-sufficiency (John 15:5). • Gratitude—Acknowledging every provision as His gift. • Witness—Public loyalty to Christ above popularity or pressure (Matthew 10:32-33). Home Life Under One Lord • Marriage: Husbands love sacrificially; wives respect willingly (Ephesians 5:22-33). • Parenting: Raise children “in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). • Private Purity: Thoughts and screens guarded because bodies are “not your own… you were bought at a price” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Work and Service Under One Lord • Integrity: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord” (Colossians 3:23). • Authority: Respect supervisors, knowing ultimate accountability is to Christ (Ephesians 6:5-8). • Generosity: Earnings viewed as stewardship for His kingdom (2 Corinthians 9:6-8). Unity Produced by One Lord • Ephesians 4:3-6 grounds church harmony in shared submission to the same Master. • Personal preferences yield to corporate edification (Romans 15:2-6). • Grudges dissolve when both parties bow to the Lord who commands forgiveness (Matthew 18:21-35). Guarding Against Rival Lords • Self—Pride resists surrender; daily cross-bearing dethrones self (Luke 9:23). • Culture—Trends and opinions cannot outrank Scripture (Romans 12:2). • Possessions—Wealth makes a poor master; serve God, not mammon (Matthew 6:24). • Fears—“Do not fear those who kill the body… fear Him” (Matthew 10:28). Practical Steps Toward Consistent Submission 1. Begin each day acknowledging His ownership: “Lord, Your agenda, not mine.” 2. Read Scripture attentively, looking for commands to obey, promises to trust. 3. Memorize key “Lordship” verses (Luke 6:46; Colossians 3:17) for mid-day recalibration. 4. Invite accountability—fellow believers who ask, “How are you following our Lord?” 5. End each day reviewing attitudes and actions, confessing where submission faltered. Encouragement for the Journey Jesus’ authority is matched by His compassion. “My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). Yielding to the one Lord liberates us from lesser tyrannies and aligns us with the purpose for which we were created: to know, love, and glorify Him now and forever. |
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