WHAT IS A LORD?
WHAT IS A LORD??
Or perhaps I could ask, who is a lord? The dictionary tells me that it is someone very highly esteemed/respected, in a place of authority, who one is willing to swear their allegiance to. Obviously if I view somebody as my lord, that one becomes my master, who I never disrespect or grieve. I am willing to swear allegiance to, and obey that one unconditionally. It is clear that it is possible for somebody to call another their lord & not respect, obey or please that one fully at all times.
When we look at this means of addressing someone, as it relates to spirituality in God’s inerrant word, we see that Jesus assures us of that fact.
Not everyone who says to Me Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven!!
So, obviously there must be something more substantial than words spoken, huh? What do they say? Words are cheap? Yes, that is too true. Today’s ‘gospel’ tells sinners that if they trust, haver faith in, believe in or accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, they WILL go to heaven…guaranteed. To ‘accept’ someone as lord of your life clearly has some profound conditions attached to it. That is never taught from today’s pulpits or stadium podiums at evangelistic rallies. The message from such places is that one must say certain words to become a child of God. Of course, that can be semantics at best or gobally-gook at worst.
Jesus did not stop with His message about getting to heaven though. He continued with: “but only the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.” Paul and John both agreed with Him.
You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God you will receive what He has promised. Heb. 10:36
The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. 1 Jn. 2:17
This was God’s message of salvation from Genesis 2:17, through to Rev. 21:6-8 and 22:14-15. We ought not be surprised to hear the same message from Jesus Christ, God’s Son. I could offer you multiple passages through the Old Testament that assure God’s chosen people that it they obeyed Him they would be blessed, but if they disobeyed Him, they would suffer awful consequences. If you have ever simply read a bible, you will be well aware of that. Another truth taught all through the bible is that sinners live in the dark, but those who know, fear, love and obey God and repent, live in the light. We are assured that there is ZERO darkness in God or Jesus. Jesus told us clearly that if we follow Him, we will have the light of life, and never walk in the dark!! Jn. 8:12
No person who has read and believed what God says in the bible can argue that Jesus was not telling Christians they will never sin. That’s exactly what He was saying!!
Jesus also assured us that to be His disciple, we must obey everything He commanded us. Matt. 28:19-20. He commanded us to be perfect as God is perfect. Matt 5:48 That word comes from a Greek word, ‘teleios’ meaning, ‘perfect, mature, finished.’ If you choose ‘mature’ then you cannot change the meaning because being spiritually mature is being Godly, blameless, pure, without stain, wrinkle or any other blemish. It means we live the life Jesus lived. That simply means that God must be able to look at us at any moment of any day, smile with appreciation, and say, “this is My beloved son/daughter in whom I am well pleased.
We know that we have come to know Him if we keep His commands. Whoever says, “I know Him,” but does not do what He commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys His word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in Him: Whoever claims to live in Him must live as Jesus did. 1 Jn. 2:3-6
This passage is a litmus test to see if you really love God. God told us that loving Him is obeying Him. If you love Me, keep My commandments. That is ‘agape’ love, choosing what is for the highest good of God, without regard for personal cost. Sin is NEVER for the highest good of God, so one cannot love God and sin. Agape has nothing to do with emotions or feelings. We see far too many X’ers posting verses about God loving us or us loving God with big red hearts attached. They have zero clue what agape love is. The is just one exceptionally fateful failures of today’s preachers.
God’s inerrant word assures us that we must never grieve God! Eph. 4:10
Our lives must always be pleasing to Him. Many refer to God as Lord, so the same must be true for them. They must swear allegiance to, respect, obey, and please Him at all times.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Rom. 12:1-2
When God is the Lord of your life, you will know what His perfect will is for you, and In doing so you will do His will, obviously. His foremost desire for all sinners is for them to repent.
The Lord is not slow in keeping His promises, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Pet. 3:9
That verse denotes a time that God is willing to wait for sinners to come to repentance. That is clearly relevant in that we must spend the time searching for Him with all our hearts, in His autobiography, with a passionate and determined desire to know Him personally, and intimately. Once we know Him, we will learn to fear Him because we will be distinctly aware that He hates sin, and will punish sinners because He is a God of justice, and always keeps His word. The wages of sin is death!!
Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Cor. 6:9-10
We will truly want to ‘agape’ Him once we really know Him. That will result in an ability to hate sin enough to cease sinning. That is the act of repentance which is a once-in-a-life-time, exceedingly emotional event that can never be repeated. Js. 4:7-10 and Heb. 6:4-6 offer us those truths. We will experience grief, wailing and morning. Our laughter will turn to mourning and our joy to gloom if we sin after we really know and desire to agape Him. The awful emotional pain you experience at that time will make you never want go through that event again, so you will remember it every time you are tempted after that, and tell Satan where to go. I can vouch for that personally!!
The saints of the Old Testament repented by stripping, putting on sackcloth, sitting on dung heaps, throwing dung dust and ashes over themselves for days without eating or drinking. Can you imagine them ever sinning again after that? I can’t.
After researching ‘American Christianity’ across the USA from 1992 to 2011. I was so broken-hearted that I sat down and wrote a book. Amazon Books has ‘A Nation Broken’ where I share God’s true message of salvation, and His plan to heal America. Amazon Books has it ready to ship to all who love America enough to want to see her healed. Please see that as your patriotic duty.