May 8, 2004

LORD OF THE DEAD AND LIVING

"For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living" (Romans 14:9, NKJV).

This unusual title contains a powerful message that speaks eloquently about the lordship of Jesus Christ. His domain includes the dead as well as the living.

Paul's thesis in this declaration is that the grand purpose of Christ's death and resurrection was to acquire absolute lordship over His redeemed people. By His death, Christ has purchased us as a special people. By His resurrection, He has delivered us. By His exaltation at God's right hand, He has been given universal dominion and is therefore Lord of the dead and living. The relationship of the redeemed to their wonderful Lord is neatly expressed in these words: "If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord" (Romans 14:8, NIV). After all, that is the whole purpose of the plan of salvation--that we belong to our Lord. As His purchased possession, we are forever Christ's whether in life or in death. Because Jesus is Lord, we are therefore responsible to Him, for we are His purchased possession (see Acts 20:28; Ephesians 1:14).

We belong to Christ even in death. In life, we live in and for Christ; in death, we sleep in Him (see 1 Thessalonians 4:14), awaiting the resurrection of the just (see 1 Thessalonians 4:16). In life, we live unto the Lord (see Romans 14:6). The whole life belongs to Christ through creation and redemption. Whether in life or in death, we are His precious possession. Without our Lord, we cannot live, and without Him, we dare not die.

My Prayer Today: Lord, I am your purchased possession. May I never lose this sense of belonging. Amen.