Surrendering to the Lordship of Christ
By Aaron Joseph Hall
When we talk about the Lordship of Christ, we are acknowledging that Jesus is not just a good teacher or a moral example to follow. He is the boss, with complete ownership of everything in the universe—and everything means everything.
This includes believers and unbelievers alike. Whether you believe it or not, Jesus is still Lord.
The Lordship of Christ is a concept that goes beyond just acknowledging Jesus as a historical figure or a wise leader. It's about recognizing His divine authority and submitting to Him as the ultimate ruler of all creation—over all things at all times!
The Inherent Connection of Jesus' Name to His Lordship
The name of Jesus is inherently connected to His lordship.
In Philippians 2:9-11, we see that God exalted Him and bestowed upon Him a name above all others. There is no other name greater than the name of Jesus. No person who has ever lived, is alive, or will live has a name that’s as great, as powerful, and as meaningful as the name of Jesus.
This exaltation is a reflection of His supreme authority and lordship over everything in the universe. Jesus' lordship was central to His redemptive work on the cross, as seen in Romans 14:8-9:
If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Christ died and returned to life for this: that he might be Lord over both the dead and the living.
His sacrifice and resurrection not only secured our salvation but also solidified His position as Lord over all creation.
Surrendering to His Lordship
Surrender is a word most people don’t like—especially when it comes to surrendering everything to Jesus as Lord.
Submitting to the Lordship of Christ involves giving up personal rights and obeying Him without reservation. That means you are living in such a way that says everything you own and all that you are belongs to Jesus—you are His and He’s Lord, the boss, master…He’s God!
It means serving Him with all our hearts, minds, and strength—with everything we have. It's not about making Jesus our Savior and Lord, but rather surrendering to His already established Lordship. It's a recognition that He is already Lord, whether we acknowledge it or not.
Our surrender is a response to this reality.
Complete Submission to Christ as Lord and Master
To truly be a disciple of Christ, we must acknowledge His lordship and submit to Him as Lord and Master. You can’t skip around His Lordship and call yourself a devote Christian. If you love Jesus, if you want to truly follow Jesus then you have to be willing to submit to His Lordship.
This means allowing Him to have complete control over our lives and being obedient to His will. We have to surrender everything in our lives to Him.
It's not always easy, but it is essential for our growth and maturity as believers. It's about aligning our will with His and recognizing that His plans and purposes are ultimately what's best for us.
Why? Because He’s Lord. That should be enough.
Conclusion
So, let's not just call Jesus our Savior and Lord with our lips, but let's truly surrender to His lordship in our hearts and lives. The way we live in surrender could help others come to know Jesus personally.
Let's give up our desires and ambitions and instead, seek to serve and obey Him with all that we are. That is the true essence of the Lordship of Christ. It's a journey of faith and obedience, but it leads to a deeper and more meaningful relationship with our Lord and Savior.
Surrendering to the Lordship of Christ is the only way to begin living the Christian life.
Aaron Joseph Hall is a devoted husband and father of four. He serves as the Digital Discipleship & Communications Pastor at More 2 Life Ministries. Passionate about writing, Aaron shares insights and inspiration on his blog: AaronJosephHall.com. You can follow him on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and X.
