This chapter begins a new section entitled “Lordship Matters.” The part we just completed focused mainly on different aspects of Christ’s finished work of salvation. Now that we have a better idea of what our Savior has done for us, we will look at what is involved with Christ being our Lord.

Paul wrote that confessing Jesus as Lord is what saves us. (Romans 10:9-10) Adam’s and Eve’s sin was a renouncing of their submission to God. They chose instead to obey the serpent. It is not surprising, therefore, that the fundamental element of our salvation is the reestablishment of our proper relationship to Christ’s lordship.

The early church boldly declared the central truth of the gospel that “Jesus is Lord,” which was a clear provocation to Roman rule and law. Romans were required to publicly confess that Caesar was lord (a divine title), sometimes on pain of death, which would be a violation of any true believer’s conscience. Many a Christian died a martyr’s death for standing firm in his confession of Christ’s Lordship. Today, here in America, we are currently not threatened in such a way by the governing authorities; nevertheless, it is just as important to confess and live in such a way that it is apparent to all who is the Lord.

In earlier times, the concept of lordship was easily understood. People lived with daily exposure to human lordship in operation all around them. Kings ruled over their subjects, doing what they wished and expecting absolute obedience from their people. Slave masters ruled over their slaves. Women generally regarded their husbands as lords of the home. Today things are not so clear to us here in America. We have lived for over 200 years under a republican form of government that believes a ruler’s authority and right to rule are derived from the consent of the people. The idea of a lord having absolute authority over us is usually only something we find in the military in our country.

Paul wrote the following words as a guiding principle for understanding how to properly relate to authority.

Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Romans 13:1 (NASB)

Here we learn that all authority is established by God, who is the supreme authority. As such, authorities here on earth are supposed to represent God’s rule. Paul went on to explain what the proper functioning of authority looks like.

For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; 4  for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Romans 13:3-4 (NASB)

Our founding fathers were convinced that any government that misrepresents God by imposing tyranny on its subjects must be resisted, overthrown, and replaced with a more godly form of government. They viewed Great Britain as having violated their own Constitution, which invalidated their right to rule over the colonists.

Paul and the other apostles also lived under a tyrannical form of government imposed by Rome. However, he did not advocate for resistance or armed rebellion against their overlords. Instead, they told followers of Christ to submit to the government, unless it required them to disobey God or violate their consciences.

The general principle for us today is to obey delegated authority whenever we are able to do so in good conscience.

As citizens of a constitutional republic, we have the responsibility to participate in our government, at least to the extent of voting for our representatives. When government overreaches by going beyond what is constitutional and takes away our God-given freedoms, as it did during the Covid lockdown, it is our responsibility not to obey, but to resist in non-violent ways. If push comes to shove, however, it is conceivable that violence might be required. Nevertheless, that would be a last resort. The first obligation is to obey whenever possible.

Today, because live in a society and under a government of elected officials, we are comfortable evaluating and even criticizing those in authority. We often regard what authorities tell us to do as if they are mere suggestions rather than commands. This attitude extends beyond government into the home, the workplace, and school. Many even transfer this kind of thinking to their relationship with God. We may not take seriously what God’s Word says. We may find it easy to say “No” to the Lord of Lords, or, in a passive aggressive way, perhaps simply ignore Him for days on end.

Jesus warned us against this sort of mentality and behavior.

Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22  On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23  But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ Matthew 7:21-23 (NLT) 

We understand from a previous teaching that Jesus explained that the primary way of “doing his will” is to put our faith and allegiance in him.

They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?” 29  Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.” John 6:28-29 (NLT) 

However, genuine faith will always produce acts of obedience to God through the inner transformative work of the Holy Spirit.

As James wrote: “Faith without works is dead.” (James 2:20) As we work through the next several chapters on lordship matters, it will be important for us to keep in mind this connection between faith and works and grace and obedience. It will force us to navigate the tension between having God for our friend and knowing him as Lord. Hopefully, we can arrive at a place where we have a proper fear of God that produces the obedience of faith without any damage being done the sense of wonder inspired by his amazing love for us and the grace he extends our way.

Click here to see the other articles in this series.

Questions for Further Study and Discussion

1. Do you think our founding fathers were biblically correct in their assessment that Great Britain governed illegitimately, since they violated their own constitution by denying rights to the colonists, and deserved to be overthrown?
2. Why do you suppose that we generally balk at giving others the ability to tell us what to do?
3. Do you think that most who claim to be Christians know Jesus as Savior and Lord, or just as Savior? Why do you think this?