Christ, The LORD

The Lordship of Christ is an important title of Christ that is left unconfessed by many evangelical Christians. They settle to call Jesus as Savior but not as Lord. Though others call Him as LORD, their confession doesn’t give Christ what is due Him as the LORD of all.

Christ’s lordship is absolute in its authority, infinite in its power, and limitless in its extension. There is no place or creature beyond the reach of His scepter. ~ Paul Washer

The movement of every molecule, the actions of every plant, the falling of every star, the choices of every volitional creature [creatures who choose], all of these are subject to his sovereign will. No maverick molecules run loose in the universe, beyond the control of the Creator.

Sproul, Chosen By God, 172

The Declaration of His Lordship

Christ is LORD whether we like it or not. The Scripture declares that He is the LORD of all!

Act 2:36  Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

Act 10:36  As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all),

Rev 17:14  They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”

1 Co 2:8  None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 

Col 2:10  and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

Jud 1:4  For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. 

The Titles given to Christ in the Scriptures are clear declarations and expressions of His sovereign rule overall. 

The Exercise of His Lordship

He was granted full authority as the fruit of His accomplished work (Matthew 28:18, II Chronicles 20:6). Christ exercises His authority and Lordship now unhindered.

• His cosmic supremacy – Psalm 115:3; 135:6
  • Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases. 
  • Whatever the LORD pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps. 
• His unstoppable counsel – Isaiah 46:9-10, Ephesians 1:11
  • Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’
  • In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,
• His ecclesiastical rule – Ephesians 1:20-22
  • that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,
• His spiritual dominion – I Peter 3:22
  • who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

None but Christ alone who accomplished His work on the cross has the authority and ability to rule over all things.

In Psalm 2, we see that the Enthroned LORD and His Anointed reign forever (from Paul Washer):

• Verses 1-3 – the rebellion of the nations and their unrelenting hostility toward God’s sovereign rule and the King that He has chosen.
• Verses 4-6 – The rebellion of the nations is futile in light of God’s unrestricted authority and infinite power.
• Verses 7-9 – a reference to His coronation day as the Messianic King.
• Verses 10-12 – the danger that the rebels face, and the blessedness that the believers have.

The Implications of His Lordship

If Christ is LORD, and indeed He is, how should it affect our lives?

• His Lordship promotes trust (Psalm 9:10). We must be dethroned from our self-made rule. Those who know the Lord should trust Him because as the LORD who sits enthroned forever (4,7, & 11), He will not forsake His people.
• His Lordship should impact the way we live our lives daily (Rom. 14:7-9)
• His Lordship demands obedience to proclaim the gospel message (Matthew 28:18)
• His confessed Lordship is necessary for salvation (Rom 10:9)

“Saving faith is a placing of oneself totally in submission to the Lord Jesus Christ.”

John MacArthur, Hard to Believe

To God be the glory!