“Jesus is Lord.” It has been said that those three words (only two words in Greek) formed the earliest Christian creed. Baptists tend not to be creedal people, but creeds have been important throughout history to define truth, correct errors, summarize core beliefs, and regulate cooperation. Basically, it’s a statement that says we agree that this is what Christianity is all about.
But creeds are meaningless if there’s only verbal affirmation. Anyone can say that this is what I believe, but do their lives affirm what their mouth is saying? We all know that talk is cheap. Jesus warned of this sort of behavior in Matt. 7:21—“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven.”
I was reminded of just how significant this is when teaching through 1 Samuel 8. In that chapter, Samuel is nearing the end of his role as the spiritual shepherd of Israel, and in response, the people ask for a king. God had plans for an earthly king, but not in this way. They didn’t want God’s king. They wanted their own king so they could be like the other nations who appeared strong and safe. Though God was their protector and provider (in essence their king!), the people rejected his leadership.
Perhaps this is where you are in your own faith journey. Maybe you’re someone who acknowledges Christ asLord but you have grown tired of what that entails. So you’ve given in to fitting in and found yourself rejecting his lordship. Even if you haven’t turned your life upside down, it’s likely there are areas of your life and heart that you’re resisting submitting to him.
Take some time today to repent and ask for forgiveness. In addition, you may want to talk to a mentor, life group leader, or pastor about it. God has graced us with this Eastmont community…let’s use it!
