Think of how many hymns an “heart songs” we sing that proclaim the Lordship of Jesus! A good many not only proclaim His Lordship, but are intended to be a commitment of our lives to Him. The words indicate our recognition of His Lordship over our lives.

Sung in the proper, reverent manner, these songs are beautiful, worshipful, and a great help in preparing our hearts for worship. They express our praise and honor to His holy Name, our willingness to be in total obedience to Him—at least for the moment.

But, do we really mean what we sing? Do we mean our “total commitment” for the hours and days when we are not worshipping together with others? Is Jesus truly Lord in our lives?Do we let Him have control in all things? Or, are such songs just for “church time” or “devotional periods”?

Allowing Jesus to be Lord of our lives may require some important changes—a few which may not be all that easy. Do we have certain pet sings which we secretly want to keep? What about our attitudes toward others—maybe to certain persons in particular? Do we have judges, anger or I’ll-feeling toward someone? Jesus said for us to even love our enemies! What about our attitudes toward ourselves, do we always want thing our way? Do we think so highly of ourselves that we tend to belittle others? Romans 12:3 tells us to not “think of himself more RemindRemind ushighly than he ought to think.”

Even in our commitment to serve the Lord, are we inclined to serve Him in our own way, on our own terms, and where we would like to go? Jesus, in the Sermon on he Mount, said: “Nit everyone that saith unto Me, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by Thy name , and by Thy name do mighty works? And then will I profess to them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matt. 7: 21-23) And why call ye me, Lord, and do not the things which I say.” (Luke 6:46).

The apostles considered the Lordship of Jesus an important part of the message which they preached. “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord.” (2 Cor. 4:5) It was because the Apostle Paul accepted the Lordship of Jesus that he went to Troas and Macedonia on his second missionary journey. He himself had planned on going to the province of Asia and Bithynia, but “the Spirit of Jesus suffered them not” (Acts 16:6-7).

What right does Jesus have to expect our obedience? For one thing, he is our creator. Without him was not anything made that half been made. He is actually Lord of the universe whether we wish to acknowledge him or not. Philippians 2:9-11 Reminds us that “in the name of Jesus every tongue shall bow, ….and then every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the father. “ In Col. 1:18 We are told that in all things he has the preeminence. Again, in revelation 19:16 we are told that Jesus is coming again and that he will be wearing a name written, “King of Kings and Lord of Lords. “

Not only is the Lordship of Jesus an objective reality, but it is also a personal reality. “You are not your own; for ye were bought with a price: glorify God therefore in your body “first Corinthians 6:19-20). In Acts 20:28we are told that the price he paid was his own blood. Also in John 15 verse fiveJesus said that from apart from him we can do nothing.

Only enough, persons who have been deep in sin, upon turning to Jesus, seem to recognize and appreciate his Lordship more than many others. They also tend to live in greater dependence on his leadership because they have already experienced the failure of life without him. For many who were considered “good“ by society and peers the submission of self-esteem seems more difficult. It is just too easy to trust your own “goodness even though we may verbally admit that no one, including ourselves, is perfect. Thus the goodContinue to go in their own way, singing at his large ship, while living south large ship. We see this in the life of Christ. He was called a friend of Republicans and sinners because they followed him, while their religious and good Pharisees criticized and trusting themselves see Luke 18:9-14.

Why do we seem to have difficulty with practicing the Lordship of Jesus? Here are a few suggestions to think about.

Do we view Jesus as we would a doctor? Do we go to Him only when we have problems? We know that Jesus is the answer to the problems of sickness, life, emotional distress, loneliness, etc. But when the problem is solved, our past, we go back to taking care of ourselves and act as if we did not need him anymore. That is not true love of Christ that is using him.

Or do we view Jesus as being like a Santa Claus to whom we can go to talk and ask for things, for blessings, etc. We might even be generous and ask him to bless others too.

Or, is it mainly a problem with pride we really think our own way is best. This may possibly be subconscious, so we need to dig into our hearts to find the truth. In the final analysis, it comes down to the question of who is in control. Do we really mean it when we sang “Have Thine Own Way, Lord.”?

In the matter of ourselves and missions, are we willing to let Him lead, wherever and whenever? Jesus wants us to be his witnesses. If we acknowledge him as Lord then we should be revealing Christ to those about us, by life as well as by our Words.

Are we acknowledging his Lordship by having a part in sending out those who are called to go? Are we willing to be sent if that is what the Lord wants? Are we willing to be patient and to prepare for the service he has a store, If He so directs? Being too hasty and going before He is ready for us (and likely before we are ready, for what soldier goes into battle without proper training?) can be just as wrong as not going at all.

The next time we sing of the Lordship of Jesus, let us mean it and not simply utter words set to a tune.

Victor Broaddus and missionary messenger. Volume XLIIII, 8, November 1981