Many people want to have God in their lives in case of emergency. They want to enjoy the security that He is with them on their trip through life. But, like a spare tire, He is kept out of sight. Only when they blow a flat and their life veers into a ditch do they quickly bring out God and look to Him for help.
But you know differently. You came to see your need of Him and, like Mary, you can say, “My spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior” (Luke 1:47). You saw your life was headed the wrong direction due to your sin and you needed Him to do a work of salvation that only He could do. Because He loves you so much, He did that work in the person of His Son on the cross.
Unfortunately though, many people want the Lord Jesus as their Savior and that’s it! They think, “He can be my friend, He can help me with my daily problems, and He can even save my soul. That’s all fine and good, but trust Him as Lord . . .?”
The Bible does not give us the option to choose. If you want Him as Savior, you must have Him as Lord. “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord, and shalt believe in thine heart that God has raised Him from among the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9 Darby). Paul preached it clearly, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.”
Yes, it is true that “He is Lord of all” (Acts 10:36). He has the legal and moral right to everyone and everything. Because of Who He is “…every knee should bow…and…every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10, 11).
But is He Lord of your life?
He has the title, so turn over the keys
If you were to pay $30,000 for a new car, would you think your name should be on the title? Would you have the right to drive it? Paul put the same concept in black and white: “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:20). How great a price did your Savior pay to have you for His own? Does He not have the rights to the ownership of your life?
Face it. You really should be singing “I surrender all,” but not because you like the tune. Peter was a strong-willed man and it was hard for him to surrender. He wrote, “Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts” (1 Peter 3:15). That is, set Him apart and give Him full control of your will. It does not mean you will not have an opinion, but He should always have the final say. The apostle Paul was also a self-made man. Yet at his conversion he asked, “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?”
Could you say that to your Lord because you have bowed to His will for your life?
He sees what you are doing, so don’t keep a key in your pocket
You cannot fool the Lord, but some people try anyway. They have prophesied in His name. They have done miracles and cast out demons in His name. They can likely quote verses and appear spiritual. They have even talked a lot about “the Lord.” But when the opportunity for salvation is over, they will remain outside pounding on the door. Sure they will call, “Lord, Lord open unto us.” But He will state the truth: “I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.” They professed to be saved and professed to be surrendered. In the end, they apparently kept a key in their pocket to be able to take their life in the direction they wanted. They wanted to be “workers of iniquity” and enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. Jesus explained, “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” (Matthew 7:21-23). Young person, this is most serious. In truth, is Christ your Savior andyour Lord?
He knows where He is going, so enjoy the ride
Why might you be reluctant to surrender the keys to your life? Are you afraid that if you let Him take control, He may take you where you don’t want to go when you don’t want to be there. That fear can only be calmed if you stop to understand Who it is Who wants to be the Lord of your life. Do you think someone Who shed His precious blood for you would be trustworthy enough to guide your life? Do you think someone to Whom you have trusted the salvation of your soul would be trustworthy enough to make plans for your future?
When Thomas saw the Lord Who had died for him and had risen from the dead, he said, “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28)! If history is right, Thomas surrendered all to Christ, and he ended up serving and dying for the cause of Christ in India.
So think carefully. Does the Lord Jesus have the right to your life? Does He have the reliability to be trusted as the Lord of your life? He may take you down a smooth highway or He may take you down a very bumpy road. At times you may be frightened, but He will never lose control. Best of all, He promises you, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20).
Please search your heart and soul. Are you holding back in any area of your life? Is there anything the Savior could ask you to do and you would say, “No!”? As you look over your life and out on your future, may God help you to surrender 100 percent to His will and may you enjoy having Jesus Christ as your Lord. When it is all over, may you “prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2).
The title and the keys to your life are sitting on the desk. Go ahead. Fill in the real owner’s name. Now what are you going to do with the keys? The challenge and choice is yours with the Lord You Obey.
