What it means to Confess Jesus as Lord

[savedfromdistruction]

First confessing is not simply stating or making a claim even if true. The Greek word (homologe&#333 that has been translated "confess" is not like our English word. We think of confess to state or admit a truth. The Greek word goes further and what we say has to agree in action with what we are saying. To confess Jesus as Lord is to accept Him for all He is by applying that confession to our lives. We are in fact laying down the gauntlet to receive God into our lives as He demands to be. Jesus said this;
Luke 6:46
And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

In other words just because we might recognize Him as Lord and all that is involved and even confess that (say that) the confession is only true if we allow it to be applied to our lives.
People who confess Him as Lord and do not want to obey all He says (have Him Lord over their lives) are not Christians and will one day be in this number;
Matt 7:21-23
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Many a persons want Jesus as Savior, the One who pays for their sins (fire insurance), but few are willing to take Him as Master, King, and Lord of their lives. Only those who surrender to God in Christ, as Lord, which is faith, will be saved.

Keep this in mind. There will not be a single person in Heaven who has not totally surrender to the Lordship of Christ. No one who remains in rebellion of any kind to all He is will be there. That same surrendered spirit is in every true believer who is here. If we cannot look into our hearts and honestly say we are surrendered to God's rule of our lives and we have placed that heart on Jesus Christ then we are not saved. There will be no rebellious hearts in heaven and the only thing that changes after we die is the body as our hearts have already been changed through repentance towrads God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ which brings the new birth.

 

[Kormagh]

Many a persons want Jesus as Savior, the One who pays for their sins (fire insurance), but few are willing to take Him as Master, King, and Lord of their lives. Only those who surrender to God in Christ, as Lord, which is faith, will be saved.

After realizing this ^, I got re-baptized.

 

[faceofbear]

No one ever fully surrenders to Christ at the point of conversion. Have you sinned once since being saved? Then James says you're double minde, and the double minded don't belong in the kingdom. Have you sold all you have to give to the poor? If not, according to Christ, you're not yet perfect.

 

[Kormagh]

No one ever fully surrenders to Christ at the point of conversion. Have you sinned once since being saved? Then James says you're double minde, and the double minded don't belong in the kingdom. Have you sold all you have to give to the poor? If not, according to Christ, you're not yet perfect.

All who are saved sin every day. And no one is perfect. Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to Jesus my redeemer who paid for all my sin and imputed his righteousness to my account!

 

[faceofbear]

If you sin every day how can you claim to do what Christ asks and claim to have submitted to His lordship?

 

[phoenixdem]

If you sin every day how can you claim to do what Christ asks and claim to have submitted to His lordship?

In the Book of Romans, Paul tells us that he sins. Are you saying that Paul wasn't submitted to Christ?

 

[Kormagh]

And if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves.

 

[RobertZ]

And if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves.

1 John. Amen.

My Pastor preached on this very topic yesterday, listen to the 12/04/11 sermon.

http://www.parkwoodonline.org/media.php?pageID=13

 

[busdriver72]

Denying or downplaying the Lordship of Christ does not make one less sinful, and embracing the Lordship of Christ does not make one more sinful.
The Lordship of Christ is what uniquely qualifies Him to be Savior. He is Lord first and foremost. He is God. He is Sovereign. If He were not Lord, He would not be Savior. He is called "Lord" in the Scripture far more than He is called Savior (747 times). The book of Acts alone calls Him Lord 92 times, while calling Him Savior only 2 times. Romans exhorts us to confess the "Lord" Jesus...Jesus is Lord of those whom He saves. To confess the Lord Jesus is to agree that He is Lord and to treat Him as Lord. Doing less denies who He is.
Do any of us do it perfectly? Of course not. The Apostle John wrote...as he said...so that we may not sin, but if anyone does sin we have an advocate with the Father...Jesus Christ the righteous.
Jesus is our Savior from sin because He is Lord.

 

[Kormagh]

Denying or downplaying the Lordship of Christ does not make one less sinful, and embracing the Lordship of Christ does not make one more sinful.
The Lordship of Christ is what uniquely qualifies Him to be Savior. He is Lord first and foremost. He is God. he is Sovereign. If He were not Lord, He would not be Savior. He is called "Lord" in the Scripture far more than He is called Savior (747 times). The book of Acts alone calls Him Lord 92 times, while calling Him Savior only 2 times. Romans exhorts us to confess the "Lord" Jesus...Jesus is Lord of those whom He saves. To confess the Lord Jesus is to agree that He is Lord and to treat Him as Lord. Doing less denies who He is.
Do any of us do it perfectly? Of course not. The Apostle John wrote...as he said...so that we may not sin, but if anyone does sin we have an advocate with the Father...Jesus Christ the righteous.
Jesus is our Savior from sin because He is Lord.

Agreed^

 

[Hupomone10]

Lordship salvation...

Ah yes, I remember those days!

Pride comes before a fall; and spiritual pride comes before a spiritual fall.

First confessing is not simply stating or making a claim even if true.

Yes indeed.

So, savedfromdestruction,
Maybe you can share a little of what this scripture passage you quoted means to you in your own life, how God has led you to repent from all sinful areas in your life and how he helped you overcome all sins you used to commit.

I think that's what people want to hear, not fingers pointing to them of how they need to accept Christ as Lord of all or He's not Lord AT all, but tell us how you did it in your own life and how He's Lord over every area of your own life, especially the material and sensual areas.

God bless,
H.

 

[faceofbear]

1 Jn. was a refutation to a heresy of not having original sin. False teachers were claiming to have no inherited sin, nor any sin by choice. You can keep going on quoting verses out of context to teach a lie, like Satan did, but I can quote verses to refute it. God is either Lord of your life, or He isn't. If you claim He is, then you a perfected. But if you have sinned after professing Him as Lord, then did you really make Him your Lord? The Bible claims people who NEVER sinned, but this doesn't make them.without sin. They still inherited it, which is what John is saying.

I'd be careful saying God is anything first and foremost as the Bible never states such a thing. But I will point out the Pharisees claimed God to be a master, first and foremost. They professed Lordship, but were rebuked for not being obedient. Christ told them He desires mercy first, not sacrifice (lordship).

 

[RobertZ]

1 Jn. was a refutation to a heresy of not having original sin. False teachers were claiming to have no inherited sin, nor any sin by choice. You can keep going on quoting verses out of context to teach a lie, like Satan did, but I can quote verses to refute it. God is either Lord of your life, or He isn't. If you claim He is, then you a perfected. But if you have sinned after professing Him as Lord, then did you really make Him your Lord? The Bible claims people who NEVER sinned, but this doesn't make them.without sin. They still inherited it, which is what John is saying.

I'd be careful saying God is anything first and foremost as the Bible never states such a thing. But I will point out the Pharisees claimed God to be a master, first and foremost. They professed Lordship, but were rebuked for not being obedient. Christ told them He desires mercy first, not sacrifice (lordship).

Who is this post directed towards?

 

[busdriver72]

1 Jn. was a refutation to a heresy of not having original sin. False teachers were claiming to have no inherited sin, nor any sin by choice. You can keep going on quoting verses out of context to teach a lie, like Satan did, but I can quote verses to refute it. God is either Lord of your life, or He isn't. If you claim He is, then you a perfected. But if you have sinned after professing Him as Lord, then did you really make Him your Lord? The Bible claims people who NEVER sinned, but this doesn't make them.without sin. They still inherited it, which is what John is saying.

I'd be careful saying God is anything first and foremost as the Bible never states such a thing. But I will point out the Pharisees claimed God to be a master, first and foremost. They professed Lordship, but were rebuked for not being obedient. Christ told them He desires mercy first, not sacrifice (lordship).

1JO 1:8-2:5 "If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
My little children, I am writing these things to you that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him:"

You are correct about inherited sinfulness, yet I believe this passage in 1st John deals with both inhertited sinfulness and the present, active sin of the flesh...the body of flesh which we must "put to death" daily...buffet our bodies against. Where he says "if we say we have no sin" then, yes, he could be speaking about those who would make a claim of having no original sin...yet the same could apply to those who would claim to have no present sin as well. The Gnostics thought they could continue to sin since they believed that what their body did had no relation to the spirit. So, John addresses this when he says "I am writing these things that you may not sin." "May not" refers to present and future sinful behavior. John buries the old "my body is mine but my soul belongs to Jesus" idea. The Scripture also says to render our body as a living sacrifice unto the Lord. Yet the notion that a saved person will not ever sin again the remaining years in their flesh is foolish and can lead to the deception that they are living in the flesh free from any sin. David had his sins...but he was also a man after God's own heart. Abraham had his sins, but he is also known as the father of faith. Peter failed the Lord miserably, yet Jesus did not disown Him. I love my wife, and I am devoted to her. Do I fail her and disappoint her? Of course I do, but it does not mean I do not love her and it does not mean I am not devoted to her. It does not mean I am not "hers."
Someone loving the Lord and striving to live for Him is going to fail and stumble. This will result in a broken heart and repentance...coming on our knees before our great Advocate who renders forgiveness and discipline.
So, I suppose, the issue is not simply physically, verbally professing Jesus as "Lord." It is loving Him and relating to Him for who He is....Lord. It is very easy to say "Lord, Lord." Living out the "Lord, Lord" is a whole other matter.
Honestly, I believe if a person does indeed believe and love the Lord, their life will reveal that...even if they have not heard about the "Lordship" issue.

 

[Hupomone10]

I'm beginning to think this thread was a "drive by." The OP hasn't reposted since the original, and I really don't want to hear a lot of verses we all know, told by one Christian aimed at another Christian.

I want to know how this Lordship thing is working out in your lives.

Starting with the OP, how many of you have made Christ Lord to the extent that you haven't gone on the internet to a single sensuous site in the past 5 years or if shorter then since being saved, not accidentally, but for the purpose of enjoyment?

That should be an easy one...

Talking about Lordship means nothing if we're not practicing it; and that question is still first and foremost to the OP, since he started the discussion.

 

[faceofbear]

Well said Bill.

 

[busdriver72]

Well said Bill.

Ditto.

 

[SoulBap6]

I'm beginning to think this thread was a "drive by." The OP hasn't reposted since the original, and I really don't want to hear a lot of verses we all know, told by one Christian aimed at another Christian.

I want to know how this Lordship thing is working out in your lives.

Starting with the OP, how many of you have made Christ Lord to the extent that you haven't gone on the internet to a single sensuous site in the past 5 years or if shorter then since being saved, not accidentally, but for the purpose of enjoyment?

That should be an easy one...

Talking about Lordship means nothing if we're not practicing it; and that question is still first and foremost to the OP, since he started the discussion.

When I received Jesus Christ as My savior I told God if he saved my soul that I would do anything he asked of me. Later I realized that I was in for it. because he first told me though his word that i needed to first know him though his Book the Bible, then I went to school for a preacher. I figured out that I needed to find a course that would teach me what I needed to know, about Jesus Christ then the second was during a Missionary conference at my Church that God called me to preach. I had more classes to take; so I finished my studies.

After I finish, I was doing what we called reformers its a addictions invention course, I was a counselor, and there We had a few people received Christ as their Saviour. The door closed on this, Ministry and New Preacher took over the Program and told me that he did not need me involved.

Then one day at the Church one of the Associate Pastors that took over the reformers mission,told me that he would like for me to preach at a Prison, I told him I would be in prayer and ask God is this what he wants me to do. It was not long God reveil to me what he want me to do, I went to the prison and I spent over three years, preaching at the prison. Many Souls were saved, I felt privileged that God let me see his power in leading souls to Jesus Christ, then one day the door was closed to me, the Guards were not doing there Job by giving us time to preach, one of the other Preachers that assisted me, had problem with one of the Guards, and soon after the Door was closed to us for ministering at the prison.

A new door opened at the rescue Mission the our Pastor told me that they had a ministry at the Mission, no one was doing it so he sent me. Currently I am preaching at the rescue mission every Sunday Morning, and once a month at a Veterans Home. I teach a Bible study on thursday evening. God has blessed me to see souls saved at the Mission, and lifes being Changed.

You wanted to know what Jesus Christ does in a persons life. I am a Sinner saved by Gods merciful grace. the only difference between a sinner and I is the lord Jesus Christ. When we humble our selves before God he will raise us up. I doubted that God could use a sinner like me. I was not qualified until Jesus Christ qualified me. I could have never been where I am today without Jesus Christ. I thank God everyday for my salvation, and for being my Father.

I praise God though Preaching, Teaching and in Song. I play Guitar I am with the American Christian Song writers, I am a Song writer an I have recorded four CD's. I tell the Members of are Church that God gave me this talent, to worship Jesus. I use my talent in my work at the Mission and the Veterans Home, my mission is getting souls saved, and God does answer when it is in his will. I wanted to share with you my testimony and to answer what you ask about what God has done and his Lordship.

Peace be with you.

 

[Hupomone10]

When I received Jesus Christ as My savior I told God if he saved my soul that I would do anything he asked of me.
(many wonderful works)
I wanted to share with you my testimony and to answer what you ask about what God has done and his Lordship.

Peace be with you.

I think the tone was set by your first post, and one of the things you said was

Keep this in mind. There will not be a single person in Heaven who has not totally surrender to the Lordship of Christ. No one who remains in rebellion of any kind to all He is will be there. That same surrendered spirit is in every true believer who is here. If we cannot look into our hearts and honestly say we are surrendered to God's rule of our lives and we have placed that heart on Jesus Christ then we are not saved.

so, in keeping with that, I asked in my first post that you be specific about His Lordship in your life in the following areas

tell us how you did it in your own life and how He's Lord over every area of your own life, especially the material and sensual areas.

upon the failure to get a response from that one, I asked more specifically in this second post for yours and others answer about Lordship in two particular areas:

Starting with the OP, how many of you have made Christ Lord to the extent that you haven't gone on the internet to a single sensuous site in the past 5 years or if shorter then since being saved, not accidentally, but for the purpose of enjoyment?

Your list of accomplishments regarding service is very impressive, but that’s not what I’m asking about. Many people can serve the Lord and be in bondage to the flesh. I don’t know if it was deliberate or not, but you avoided the sensual issue I raised. That’s the one I’m interested in regarding men, for this is where they live and is a true test of such comments as you made in your first post.

God bless,
H.

 

[busdriver72]

Keep this in mind. There will not be a single person in Heaven who has not totally surrender to the Lordship of Christ

Well, so much for the thief on the cross who never had a chance to serve Him. Poor fella.