Philippians 2:5-11 says, “5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow (surrender, worship, honor and humility), of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Part of understanding the kingdom is understanding the Lordship of Christ! His resurrection proved that He was LORD, but He was also affirmed and proclaimed as LORD through the heavenly announcement and declaration at His birth. Many know Jesus as Savior, but few know Him as Lord, which comes from the Greek word “kurios”, meaning, “supreme in authority, Master, Mr., controller, God” (Strong’s). Some other definitions from this translation include, “the possessor and disposer of a thing, the owner, one who has control of the person, the sovereign, prince, chief, and a title of honor expressive of respect and reverence, with which servants greet their master” (Thayer’s Greek Definitions).

 

In the Old Testament, the main Hebrew word you see with “LORD God” in scripture is “Yehovah”, meaning, “Jehovah, the Self-Existent One, eternal, the Jewish national name of God” (Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionary). The Lordship of Christ is revealed through creation because by Him all things were made (Colossians 1:16-17), and His eternal nature, being Alpha and Omega, having an infinite beginning and infinite ending (Revelation 1:8). God’s eternal nature exists because He is outside of time, space and matter.

 

Oftentimes, when you read “The LORD God” in scripture, you see who He really is: the everlasting God, Creator of heaven and earth, the One who holds all power and authority, the King of the universe, the mighty defender and protector of His people, and the One who speaks our future into existence. So, when viewing the Lordship of Christ, we must keep these perspectives in mind!

Christ being your LORD doesn’t mean you give God the controller and He is the One responsible for everything that happens in your life, whether good or bad. You are not mechanical or a robot. A coach may instruct basketball player to not to be “mechanical”, meaning they could not do anything outside of the play. Sometimes, you have to be creative and let the game come to you in order to be successful! The Lordship of Christ doesn’t mean He is in control of every part and facet of your life, but it means He has given you the controller, and it is up to you to not make provision for your flesh and by the Holy Spirit control your attitude and responses in life, whether good or bad. Just as when you play a game and you have the controller things happen that you don’t mean for it to, in the game of life not everything goes your way, but because Christ is LORD your response is to serve Him and people the best you know how!

When we think of Lordship, we think in the mindset of these definitions, that God has ownership and is in control of our lives, dictating and manipulating us to live a righteous life. If God is in control of us, then we have someone to blame when things overwhelm us and do not go according to plan. We look at every tragedy and just say things like, “Well, it was their time to go”, or, “It must have been God’s will”. Tell a child who lost their parent at a young age something like that, or a parent who lost their baby, and all of a sudden you have created a theology of God that doesn’t exist. Instead of seeing God as the healer, miracle worker and Father who loves us, you have formed this warped idea and theory of God being a murderer, which is who Satan was since the very beginning (John 8:44)! Could the reason Jesus have wept at Lazarus’ grave be because it wasn’t his time to go? What would be the need for any miraculous resurrection throughout history or scripture if it was God’s will for all of these individuals to die in the time frame in which they did? Would it have been “out of God’s will” to add 15 years to Hezekiah’s life after he turned his face to the wall and prayed after receiving a word from the prophet Isaiah to get his house in order that he would soon die?

 

Whether we realize it or not, we have control of our lives in the sense of how we direct our thoughts, prayers and actions, and although things happen in life that are beyond our control, how we process and face them is totally up to us. That also doesn’t mean we accept things just the way they are. It is the reason why God told Joshua following Moses’ death that if you will meditate on the Word of the LORD day and night you will “make your way prosperous” and “have good success” (Joshua 1:8). Yes, God receives all of the glory, but it is how you received the Word and allow it to be rooted and planted in your heart that brings success. It is not because God is in control of your life, but you have used the authority He has given you to return glory back to Him!