Dear brethren,
As we continue to lay a strong foundation for the year, I’d like to quote this to you from the Rhapsody devotional, since it was so right on what was in my heart:
“Acts 10:36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ — He is Lord of all — NKJV
When you declared Jesus Christ as Lord of your life, He became your Master. Lord means master, possessor or owner. Some Christians don’t seem to realize this; they think Jesus is there (only) to answer their prayers and give them whatever they want. They haven’t known Him as Lord. He being Lord of your life means you exist for Him; He’s the One in charge of your life.”
2 Cor. 5:15…and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. NKJV
1 Cor. 8:6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live. NKJV
We should live for Him and through Him. The devotional goes on to say:
“The beautiful thing about it is that He’s not a tyrant; so, He doesn’t try to run your life or infringe on your will. He’s Lord over you in LOVE. The Lordship of Jesus Christ is the Lordship of love. It means submitting yourself to Love, the loving power of God. Remember, He’s love. So, when Jesus became the Lord of your life, “Love” became the Lord of your life.”
“There’s no selfishness about Jesus; He’s God’s love personified and expressed to man. He’s the living love of God manifested to us. You don’t love yourself as much as “Love” loves you; He’s more ambitious for your success than you could ever be for yourself. When this becomes your consciousness, all your struggles will be over.”
Amen to that!
Our part is to believe the love that He has for us and live accordingly.
1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. NKJV
Brethren, submitting to love is so easy. You don’t want to have your own way when your Lord and Master loves you. You submit to Him knowing that He always has your best interest at heart.
No wonder Jesus as our Lord/Master gave us the commandment that works. It is also the commandment that makes the New Covenant work for us. We do not walk in love out of an unhealthy fear. We walk in love because we have been very much loved. We flow in the same love with which we have been loved. It flows out of our hearts because that’s where the Holy Spirit put it when He did a work of regeneration in us. It is now our natural nature.
John 17:26 And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” NKJV
Brethren, this year, and beyond, let’s respond to His love by flowing in His love.
