Salvation and Lordship
Colossians 2:6-10 (New King James Version)
8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
Probably nothing causes as much confusion in the church as does salvation and Lordship. We are so eager to have folks make a decision for Jesus that we often over simplify for a short term benefit and create a long term problem. From the beginning a new Christian needs to understand forgiveness of sin and freedom from sin. After all, when a person is saved, his sins are forgiven and, he’s given new life, but sinful thinking and conduct, characteristics of the old life, hang around. It confuses the new believer and can make him doubt his salvation and forgiveness. The truth, however, is that all believers live with this dilemma to one degree or another.
Salvation is a onetime act which God accomplishes in the life of any person who trusts in Christ’s payment for his sins. But the Lord wants even more for us than this? The Bible teaches that He predestined us “to become conformed to the image of His Son” (Rom. 8:29-30). That’s His ultimate goal. Salvation is the door that opens the way for this process, which is accomplished by the Holy Spirit within us.
The new man in Christ, forgetting that his salvation was a work of God, begins to operate as if his sanctification, his freedom from sin, is a work for which he alone is responsible.
Our responsibility is submission to Christ’s lordship. He paid for us with His blood, and since we are now His, He has the right to rule our lives. In other words, we received Him as Lord at salvation, and now we must walk in Him (v. 6), letting Him have complete control of every area—every decision, act, word, motive, attitude, and thought. He will guide our steps and transform us into His image..
If you see little progress in your spiritual life, the problem is probably due to an area that you are keeping for yourself. Only in surrendering it to Christ and letting Him be Lord of your entire life will you be enriched beyond measure as He changes your character, perspective, attitudes, and behavior.
Nick
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