The statement, or proclamation, “Jesus is Lord”, which we so often hear flung about in Christian circles, is a true statement. The apostles affirmed this often in their New Testament writings – more than a hundred times. Here’s one classic time Paul said it:
Philippians 2:10-11 (NIV)
“… at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
The apostle Peter, too, proclaimed the same truth on the day of Pentecost when Holy Spirit fell on the believers like fire:
Acts 2:36 (NIV)
“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
Ever since those times Christians throughout history have triumphantly proclaimed the same thing – Jesus is Lord. But the usage of that statement (and similar ones to it) in the New Testament was not so much a cry of triumph, that Jesus had been victorious over sin and Satan. Although that is absolutely true, the cry, “Jesus is Lord” is much more. In the New Testament from the pens of the apostles, “Jesus is Lord” was a statement about their worldview – to them, it was never a cliché. “Jesus is Lord” is a new world reality, not a catchphrase. And He is Lord regardless of whether we agree, or not – which is what Philippians 2:10-11 is all about. That short statement, “Jesus is Lord” radically reshapes and reorients our lives in every way. It is the opposite of all other worldviews where there is a god for just about everything, and some religions do have such a worldview.
So, “Jesus is Lord” means that every Christian lives a truly Christ-centred life. It is a totally Christ-centred life without separate compartments where Jesus is not Lord. And right there is a critical issue for believers in the 21st century where a Christless Christianity is slowly rising. I know that sounds harsh, but I think it is true. If Jesus was truly Lord He would have a profound shaping effect on every part of our lives. It would encompass everything we do and say, and value. “Jesus is Lord” is a true statement but is it the primary orientating influence in our lives? And before we jump straight to what we want to believe is the correct answer (which should be ‘yes’, of course), let’s road test it.
When we say that “Jesus is Lord” we are declaring that He is Lord over every part of our life – there is nothing outside His Lordship, nothing outside His authority and influence. Do we actually live as though this is true? Does every part of our lives reflect this truth? Is this truth, this declaration, manifest in our new born again state of being?
If Jesus is Lord, is this truth declaration manifest in every area of our finances? Every aspect of the way we steward our time? The conduct of our relationships? Determine the use of our resources? Our generosity? Our day-to-day priorities? Those are some very important reality checks. Jesus IS Lord, and when we declare that by faith and not just shout it out as some triumphant thing in order to let everyone know who’s side we are on, we step into the new reality symbolised in our baptism. If Jesus is Lord of me, I am not my own anymore.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your bodies.”
This is the apostle’s classic insight into the Lordship of Christ – we are His now, not Satan’s. Beforehand, we were Satan’s whether we realised that, or not. We were under his lordship and slaves to sin. Anyone who is in Christ has experienced a change in lordship and that means something quite profound in Scripture. We are not our own anymore. Now, I realise that in some measure this whole idea kind of rankles with our deep sense of independence, self-expression and agency. But, before the Fall, this is how it was. And when Adam and Eve disobeyed, they switched allegiances - and, in the very moment of that, they knew. It was profoundly shocking and they were banished from God’s Lordship – it all went downhill from there. When we surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, we step back into His Kingdom reality, a reality that stands against all other values systems, cultures, economies, powers and moralities. All other frameworks and constructs that compartmentalise our lives into so many different domains, each with its own god or idol (career, family, money, ambitions, sexuality, you name it), are all contrary to Jesus’ Lordship.
As believers Jesus is Lord and King over every domain – in heaven and on earth. Did He not say so to the apostles when He commissioned them?
Matthew 28:18 (NIV)
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.”
That means, Jesus is Lord of everything. Everything. So, if we dare to declare that truth, that reality, in our confession of faith at baptism, we dare not live in contradiction to it. Our lives are now centred on Jesus, not ourselves. All aspects of our lives revolve around Him, reference off Him, belong to Him, and are guided by Him. This is how it was in the beginning before the Fall – and Adam and Eve lived in the sheer joy and perfection of it.
This simple statement, “Jesus is Lord” is so basic that a little child can understand it. But, at the same time, it is so complex that theologians and scholars continue to grapple with the deepest implications of it. It is the very foundation of the entire universe!
Colossians 1:15-20 (NIV)
“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross.”
Spend time in personal meditation and reflection on this passage from Colossians this week, which is what I have been doing as part of an international cohort of other pastors as we seek to deepen our spirituality and continue to grow as leaders of God’s Church.
Keep asking yourself each day, “Is Jesus really Lord of my whole life, or just the bits I allow Him to have?” Another question, or two … “Do I come to Jesus in the first instance, seeking His will, His guidance – and Lordship – or do I concoct all manner of schemes and strategies and then invite Him to bless what I want?” Maybe it is time for a major reassessment of how I understand, love and respect Jesus who is Lord of all (and always will be); and repent of the sins that keep insisting that He revolve around me.
1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. …”
Acts 10:36 (NIV)
“You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.”
Meditate on this. Reassess. Repent. Reorient your life around Jesus. He, not you, is Lord.
Ps Milton
[Sources: Personal journal; Notes taken from “mDNA Movement Leaders Collective” meeting, 1 April 2025]