Jesus Christ, Our Only Lord and Master
By Mark Larson
www.cvillechurch.com
Jesus Christ is “the King of kings and Lord of lords” (1 Tim. 6:15). When we confess Jesus as Lord (Rom. 10:9), we confess that He is supreme in authority and power. More than that, we submit to His control as our Master, the One who rules over us. We do our best to abstain from sin so we will be “useful to the Master, prepared for every good work” (2 Tim. 2:21). In life, Jesus is the “one Lord” (Eph. 4:5) Christians give their allegiance to: “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him” (Col. 2:6, NASB).
As much as we may recognize these truths, sometimes, if we are not careful, we may unwittingly allow others to become our lord and master in life. Certain people, if we do not beware, will have the same or similar degree of influence over us. When that happens, we cease to be true disciples or followers of the Lord!
Even the Apostles Did not Behave As “Lords.” The apostles were blessed to have spent over three years with Jesus and learn much from His example and teaching. After Jesus’ resurrection and ascension into Heaven, the apostles, in a special sense, became His representatives (2 Cor. 5:20). They spoke the will of Christ to the people as inspired by the Holy Spirit (John 14:26; 16:13; Acts 2:1-4; Eph. 3:3-5). They, through their teaching, became part of the foundation of the church (Eph. 2:20). Yet, as important as they were to the establishment of the church, they understood that Jesus Christ is the only master and Lord over Christians. The apostle Paul declared: “Not that we lord it over your faith, but are workers with you for your joy; for in your faith you are standing firm” (2 Cor. 1:24). The apostles were not masters or lords that exercised dominion or lordship over other Christians. Instead, they were fellow workers who labored along side other Christians as equals in Christ (Gal. 3:28).
Elders (or Pastors) Are not to Behave as “Lords.” In the organization of the local church, the New Testament gives us a pattern to follow. Included in the pattern are overseers (bishops), deacons, evangelists, and teachers (Phil. 1:1; Eph. 4:11). Overseers are otherwise called elders or pastors (See Acts 20:17, 28; Eph. 4:11; 1 Pet. 5:2). Elders have the great responsibility to shepherd or care for the local church of which they belong (1 Pet. 5:1-4). They are to also provide spiritual leadership (Heb. 13:7, 17). In addition, they must guard the church against false teachers and their evil influence (Acts 20:28-31). Yet, as important as their role is in the local church, they must not ever exercise dominion or control over members, as if they were lords or masters. Like the apostles, elders must understand that Jesus Christ is our only Lord and Master: “Shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock” (1 Pet. 5:2-3). Though elders are shepherds over the church of God, they, like the apostles, are our equals in the Lord (Gal. 3:28). No elder has the right to rule in a domineering way in which he browbeats or strong-arms members to obey. No elder has the authority to arbitrarily make rules for members to follow. No one, save Jesus Christ, has the right to “lord it over us” and rule over our lives.
No One (Save Christ) Should Be Regarded as “Lord” nor Followed as “Lord.” Though we may readily confess Jesus as our only Lord and Master, we still need to guard ourselves from putting any man or woman on a pedestal. This occurs, for example, when men elevate themselves through titles of honor or prestige that they hold for themselves. Jesus addressed this problem in His rebuke of the scribes and Pharisees: “And they love the place of honor at banquets, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called by men, Rabbi. "But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. "And do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. "And do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ” (Mat. 23:6-10). Similarly, in modern times, titles such as reverend, pastor, minister, or “discipler” have been given to men to elevate them over others. Whenever such an honoring of men occurs, whether titles are used or not, there is great risk of such men becoming proud and “lording it over” others. This results in the negative effect of disciples of Christ becoming disciples of men over time.
How Do We Keep Christ as Our Only Master and Lord in Life?
#1 The will of Jesus is always put above the will of man (Mat. 10:37; 15:7-9; Col. 2:8). Sometimes people will tell us to do things that go against the will of Christ. Family wishes, traditions, and the advice of men may seem wise and beneficial, but if it goes against God’s word and we follow it, we are not respecting Christ as our Lord: “And why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not do the things I say?” Jesus asks (Luke 6:46). A true disciple of the Lord will seek to know His will as revealed in the Scriptures (Eph. 5:17) and do everything by His authority (Col. 3:17). He will “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord” (Col. 1:10).
#2 Our primary motive for obedience is to please the Lord, not men. Sometimes, in the busyness of obedience, we may, if we are not careful, take our focus off of Christ and put it on to men. If we think more about gaining the approval of men instead of Christ, something is seriously wrong at heart (John 12:42-43). To be a true servant of Christ, we must always maintain that number one goal to please Him, above and beyond our desire to please men: “For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ” (Gal. 1:10).
#3 Let no one tell you that God’s grace in Christ is a license to sin. To believe such a lie is a sure way to deny the Lord and become a slave of sin all over again (See Jude 4; Rom. 16:18). Instead of making sin your master, deny every form of ungodliness and worldly desire in your response to the grace of God (See Titus 2:11-12).
#4 When looking to the example of others, only follow Christ-like qualities. As much as we may admire certain brethren or value a friendship or leader, we must never allow ourselves to go to the extreme in our loyalty or devotion toward others. The imitation of others is noble only when such characteristics we imitate are Christ-like in quality. “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1; See also 1 Cor. 4:16-17).
www.cvillechurch.com
Jesus Christ is “the King of kings and Lord of lords” (1 Tim. 6:15). When we confess Jesus as Lord (Rom. 10:9), we confess that He is supreme in authority and power. More than that, we submit to His control as our Master, the One who rules over us. We do our best to abstain from sin so we will be “useful to the Master, prepared for every good work” (2 Tim. 2:21). In life, Jesus is the “one Lord” (Eph. 4:5) Christians give their allegiance to: “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him” (Col. 2:6, NASB).
As much as we may recognize these truths, sometimes, if we are not careful, we may unwittingly allow others to become our lord and master in life. Certain people, if we do not beware, will have the same or similar degree of influence over us. When that happens, we cease to be true disciples or followers of the Lord!
Even the Apostles Did not Behave As “Lords.” The apostles were blessed to have spent over three years with Jesus and learn much from His example and teaching. After Jesus’ resurrection and ascension into Heaven, the apostles, in a special sense, became His representatives (2 Cor. 5:20). They spoke the will of Christ to the people as inspired by the Holy Spirit (John 14:26; 16:13; Acts 2:1-4; Eph. 3:3-5). They, through their teaching, became part of the foundation of the church (Eph. 2:20). Yet, as important as they were to the establishment of the church, they understood that Jesus Christ is the only master and Lord over Christians. The apostle Paul declared: “Not that we lord it over your faith, but are workers with you for your joy; for in your faith you are standing firm” (2 Cor. 1:24). The apostles were not masters or lords that exercised dominion or lordship over other Christians. Instead, they were fellow workers who labored along side other Christians as equals in Christ (Gal. 3:28).
Elders (or Pastors) Are not to Behave as “Lords.” In the organization of the local church, the New Testament gives us a pattern to follow. Included in the pattern are overseers (bishops), deacons, evangelists, and teachers (Phil. 1:1; Eph. 4:11). Overseers are otherwise called elders or pastors (See Acts 20:17, 28; Eph. 4:11; 1 Pet. 5:2). Elders have the great responsibility to shepherd or care for the local church of which they belong (1 Pet. 5:1-4). They are to also provide spiritual leadership (Heb. 13:7, 17). In addition, they must guard the church against false teachers and their evil influence (Acts 20:28-31). Yet, as important as their role is in the local church, they must not ever exercise dominion or control over members, as if they were lords or masters. Like the apostles, elders must understand that Jesus Christ is our only Lord and Master: “Shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock” (1 Pet. 5:2-3). Though elders are shepherds over the church of God, they, like the apostles, are our equals in the Lord (Gal. 3:28). No elder has the right to rule in a domineering way in which he browbeats or strong-arms members to obey. No elder has the authority to arbitrarily make rules for members to follow. No one, save Jesus Christ, has the right to “lord it over us” and rule over our lives.
No One (Save Christ) Should Be Regarded as “Lord” nor Followed as “Lord.” Though we may readily confess Jesus as our only Lord and Master, we still need to guard ourselves from putting any man or woman on a pedestal. This occurs, for example, when men elevate themselves through titles of honor or prestige that they hold for themselves. Jesus addressed this problem in His rebuke of the scribes and Pharisees: “And they love the place of honor at banquets, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called by men, Rabbi. "But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. "And do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. "And do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ” (Mat. 23:6-10). Similarly, in modern times, titles such as reverend, pastor, minister, or “discipler” have been given to men to elevate them over others. Whenever such an honoring of men occurs, whether titles are used or not, there is great risk of such men becoming proud and “lording it over” others. This results in the negative effect of disciples of Christ becoming disciples of men over time.
How Do We Keep Christ as Our Only Master and Lord in Life?
#1 The will of Jesus is always put above the will of man (Mat. 10:37; 15:7-9; Col. 2:8). Sometimes people will tell us to do things that go against the will of Christ. Family wishes, traditions, and the advice of men may seem wise and beneficial, but if it goes against God’s word and we follow it, we are not respecting Christ as our Lord: “And why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not do the things I say?” Jesus asks (Luke 6:46). A true disciple of the Lord will seek to know His will as revealed in the Scriptures (Eph. 5:17) and do everything by His authority (Col. 3:17). He will “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord” (Col. 1:10).
#2 Our primary motive for obedience is to please the Lord, not men. Sometimes, in the busyness of obedience, we may, if we are not careful, take our focus off of Christ and put it on to men. If we think more about gaining the approval of men instead of Christ, something is seriously wrong at heart (John 12:42-43). To be a true servant of Christ, we must always maintain that number one goal to please Him, above and beyond our desire to please men: “For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ” (Gal. 1:10).
#3 Let no one tell you that God’s grace in Christ is a license to sin. To believe such a lie is a sure way to deny the Lord and become a slave of sin all over again (See Jude 4; Rom. 16:18). Instead of making sin your master, deny every form of ungodliness and worldly desire in your response to the grace of God (See Titus 2:11-12).
#4 When looking to the example of others, only follow Christ-like qualities. As much as we may admire certain brethren or value a friendship or leader, we must never allow ourselves to go to the extreme in our loyalty or devotion toward others. The imitation of others is noble only when such characteristics we imitate are Christ-like in quality. “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1; See also 1 Cor. 4:16-17).
posted by Mark E Larson | 12:14 PM
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