Christian, What, in the World, Are You? pt. II – 1 John 5:18-19

Every believer is under God’s lordship. We are from God. We belong to Him; He is our Lord. Verse 19 reveals the dichotomy of two kingdoms and two powers- God and Satan- that divides all men as servants under two lordships. It is a continual pattern throughout Scripture- Cain and Abel, Egypt and Israel, Esau and Jacob, Saul and David. Christians are under the lordship of Jesus Christ. Every realm of our life is surrendered to Jesus- we are no longer the lord of our own lives. We practice lordship by first beginning with the truth of Jesus Christ. There are many teachings of counterfeit saviors in this world, but we trust in Jesus as we know Him through Scripture alone. (1Jn 4:3) Second, we submit to Jesus’ lordship as we overcome all suffering by faith. Jesus is Lord of all, and he equips us to go through every trial victoriously. (Rom 8:28; Phil 3:7) Third, we must listen to and obey Christ. There is no neutrality or middle ground to Jesus’ lordship. No matter what our circumstances may be, we must trust Jesus and obey His Word. (Lk 5:8) Finally, practicing lordship is to love God and love one another. Love is God’s command. It is not to be based on our fleeting emotions or circumstances, but we must do all things in love. Every good work devoid of love is in vain. (1Cor 13:1)

Christians live before Christ. You are not alone. Jesus came into the world as Immanuel- God with us. He has promised to never forsake or abandon you. (Matt 1:23, Matt 28:20) Even when you are unfaithful, God remains faithful. It is often due to unrepented sin that we fail to recognize God’s presence in our lives. (Is 59:2; Ps 13:1-2) Jesus has promised that all who come to Him will never be cast out. We must trust in the Lord and His Word, depending on His faithfulness through all things.

Every Christian’s mind is changed. Knowledge is an integral part of salvation. Repentance is a change of mind– if the mind is not changed, actions will not follow. Unbelievers do not have clarity. They are unable to know themselves, or have a right view of anything in life. Jesus came to give us understanding- He has given us the right understanding of God, life, Scripture, and salvation. We have been transformed and enlightened to understand and accept who God is according to Scripture. We enjoy intimate fellowship with God. He abides in us, and we in Him. We experience Him as our tender Father, walking before Him not in fear, but with reverence. (Joshua 1:9; Rom 8:31-32) When God feels distant, ponder your ways and search out your sin. Our fellowship with God is inseparable because it comes through Jesus Christ. (Rom 8:38-39)

Christians are saved by Christ alone. Jesus Christ it the true God. There is no other. God’s eternal plan for salvation was for man to be saved by Christ alone. (Acts 4:11-12) Only Jesus had two natures in one person- humanity and divinity. He was not born in original sin because He came to us by virgin birth. Jesus was sinless and pure, reflecting the unblemished sacrifices of the Old Testament- He alone can atone for sin and fully please God as a sacrifice. Only Jesus overcame death by His resurrection. Our salvation is truly unlike anything man has devised. It cannot be bought by any price, and we have done nothing to ever deserve Jesus Christ. It is because of God’s love that Jesus has come to save us.

Christians are saved for eternal life. Throughout history man has sought to live forever, but all have died and lie in the grave. Only Jesus Christ rose from the dead, and in Him, we have eternal life. (Jn 11:26) He has given us endless hope- eternal life is the glittering crown of this hope. Those who have eternal life enjoy the treasure they’ve found in Christ Jesus. (Matt 13:44) This is the most precious truth we must always remember and rejoice in. It is the truth that all dying men must hear through us. May all glory, honor, and praise be to our God!