Answer
The crucial point is to understand that Jesus is already the Lord of your life. We do not appoint Jesus as Lord; He is Lord. Our responsibility is to submit to His lordship. Another term for our acknowledgment of Jesus’ lordship is “submission.” To submit means to surrender to the will and authority of another, specifically for Christians, it is yielding to the will and authority of Jesus Christ. This implies that when the Scriptures instruct believers to love one another « These things I command you, that ye love one another. », (John 15:17), that is what should be done. It signifies that when the Scriptures prohibit adultery or theft (Exodus 20:14-15), these actions should be avoided. It is important to recognize that submission, or obedience to God’s commands, is linked to the growth and maturity of a Christian and is not about becoming a Christian. A person becomes a Christian solely by faith in Christ, apart from works (Ephesians 2:8-9).
We must understand that complete obedience cannot be achieved merely by the desire to do so or by one’s inner strength. It will not happen just because we “choose” to do it. This is because even believers are inclined to sinful behavior and thoughts without the intervention and empowerment of the Holy Spirit. To be obedient, we must depend on the power supplied by the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17). This act in itself is an act of obedience, as we are instructed in Ep
Ephesians 5:18 encourages believers to be filled with the Spirit. This does not imply that a believer receives more of the Spirit, but rather that the Spirit gains more control over the believer—which embodies the concept of submission. Being filled with the Spirit entails yielding to the Spirit’s guidance. In practical terms, this occurs when a believer positively responds to the Holy Spirit’s leading. It does not necessarily mean feeling led into full-time Christian ministry and obeying that feeling, although that may be part of it. Instead, it pertains to the everyday choices we make, such as responding kindly to someone who has mistreated us “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.”, (Romans 12:17); being truthful in our interactions with others “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.”, (Ephesians 4:25); conducting our business affairs honestly “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.”, (Ephesians 4:28); and dedicating time to prayer and studying God’s Word as instructed “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”, (2 Timothy 2:15). These are just a few instances of daily choices that exhibit submission to Christ.
It is crucial to recognize that even when we fail to obey, God has provided a way for us to maintain fellowship with Him. 1 John 1:9 states, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.””teousness.” Even this is part of submission and obedience—to confess our sins to God so that we can remain in fellowship with Him. It is important to note that when tough decisions arise, the first thing we should do is pray, asking the Lord to help us make the right decision and/or be obedient to what we already know is right from the Word.
To summarize the concept of the Lordship of Christ, it does not consist of one act of obedience but is rather measured by the sum of our obedience. It cannot be accomplished in our strength or power, but by the power available to us through the indwelling Holy Spirit. We are strongest when we rely on Him «Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. », (2 Corinthians 12:10).