Olivet Baptist Church

Is Jesus Lord Of You?




A mature disciple will demonstrate a humble attitude before the Lord. He or she will allow Jesus to be Lord over their finances, family, and work. The

disciple will reflect frequently on what it means

to be Christ-like as they make decisions for

day-to-day life and ministry.



One of the most astounding stories of the Bible

involves Abraham. For decades he dreamed of

having a child. Then his hopes faded as his years mounted. Finally along came the miracle child, Isaac.  It is in this setting that the following story

becomes even more remarkable. One day God speaks to Abraham and tells him to take his only son up the mountain where he is to offer him as a

sacrifice. To us that sounds totally out of bounds. We would have questioned our own ability to hear from the Lord. Yet in the ancient days human

sacrifice was well-known. So Abraham was

probably not too surprised by this divine demand.



Abraham and Isaac trudge up the mountain. Father must have been heavy of heart knowing he would soon lose his treasured son. Still he was committed to obeying God. He had determined that the Almighty had the right to call the shots in his life—over his whole life. We know this is true, because the knife was at his son’s neck when the

Heavenly Father  intervened and spared Isaac.

Would we go that far? Have we surrendered our will completely to the Lord? This really is the crux of the matter. We can only grow more Christ-like to the degree we are willing to allow Jesus to be Lord of our lives.



Jesus highlights our need for utter dependence on him. Jesus said: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”  (John 15:5) It is true that we can do a lot of amazing stuff in our own strength. We can live our whole life doing what we want to do. Yet none of it matters in God’s sight. That which lasts, that which counts are those things done in obedience and by relying on the Lord’s strength.



This is the kind of life we must develop. It

happens with big moments and small moments of surrender. It happens in prayer when we say words like “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  It slowly develops within us a deep

commitment to the Lordship of Christ. He has the say over our finances. He has control over our choice of entertainment. His rules apply to my social relationships and my family. My choices for career and service in the church and community are determined by the will of God. The truer that

becomes, the more mature we become.



Since this is the pivotal factor in a growing

relationship with Christ, we must ask again and

again: “Am I allowing Jesus to have control of every area of life?”  Take some time right now to surrender each aspect of your life.



Can you feel yourself grow?