The Unpopular JesusSample

Everyone is positive about salvation and would love to accept Jesus Christ as Savior. However, few are willing to accept it when He is also called Lord and must rule as Lord in my life. The Greek word for Lord is Kurios, which means boss, master, or owner - the one who gives the orders, who has slaves as subjects to whom he can give orders and who has ownership rights to the slaves. The Early Christian church's first "creed" was Jesus is Lord (the Kurios). The word Lord occurs 747 times in the New Testament. The word Savior, 27 times.

Having a Savior is wonderful, but being an enslaved person belonging to a boss who gives orders is not popular. Jesus demands to be the Lord, the Kurios, of our lives. Not only does He want to save us from sin, but He also wants to be the one who wants to guide us (for our own benefit) and fit into God's perfect will. And this is where people are offended (Isa.45:19).

It is only possible to say Jesus is my Savior by also saying Jesus is Lord. 1 Peter 3:18 - On the other hand, see to it that you continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

He may save me from my sin, but I want to choose for myself what I want to do with my life; I want to control my credit card myself, and I want to determine and live my ambitions and dreams. I want to decide for myself what is right and wrong, what I will do with my time, who I want to marry and what profession I want to practice. When Jesus as Lord wants to go before us and point the way for us (for our benefit), He quickly becomes unpopular (Matt.16:24-25).

Jesus is popular when He is merciful and gracious. But when Jesus comes as a Judge and expects repentance from sin and submission to punishment and a holy life, many are offended. We are thankful that Jesus will forgive our sins, which can be forgiven by His grace, but we do not like it if we have to forsake that sin. I expect forgiveness because I have an affair with another person's spouse, but I am offended if I am expected to break off the relationship with that person.

Spiritual freedom, joy and victory come when only Jesus remains, and He is enough for us.