More Than an Invitation: The Lordship of Christ

Now why do you call Me, "Lord, Lord," and do not do what I say?

Luke 6:46

One of the most common phrases we hear in modern Christianity is “Ask Jesus into your heart.” Many have heard it since childhood. It is often used with sincere intentions to communicate the truth that we must come to Christ personally. But we must be careful. The danger is that this phrase can communicate something the Bible never teaches: that salvation is simply inviting Jesus to become part of our lives while we remain in control.

Jesus is not seeking to merely enhance a comfortable life with a spiritual addition. He isn't asking to be a guest in our homes; instead, He calls us to give Him full control. Many reference Revelation 3:20: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” Over the years, this verse has often been seen as depicting Jesus waiting outside an unbeliever's heart for an invitation. Although the imagery is compelling, it's crucial to consider the context. Jesus was not addressing atheists, pagans, or those unfamiliar with the gospel but was speaking to a church.

The church at Laodicea was religious. They gathered together. They had a reputation. They believed they were spiritually healthy. But Jesus looked at them and said: “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” (Revelation 3:15-16) Their greatest problem was not that they lacked religion. Their problem was that they had religion without surrender. They had activity without intimacy. They had a form of faith without a heart transformed by Christ. They had, in a sense, shut Jesus out.

The warning of Revelation 3:20 is not merely, “Let Jesus into your life so you can be happier.” The call is far greater: repent and return to the King who deserves the throne of your life. This is where cheap grace becomes so dangerous. Cheap grace tells people: “Say a prayer.” “Make a decision.” “Invite Jesus in.” “Then continue living however you want.” But biblical grace does not merely forgive us; it transforms us. Grace does not allow us to remain the master of our own lives. Grace brings us under the lordship of Christ.

Jesus said: “Now why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”(Luke 6:46) Notice He did not say, “Why do you call Me Savior?” He said, “Why do you call Me Lord?” The question is not simply, “Have you invited Jesus into your heart?” The question is, “Has Jesus taken His rightful place as Lord over your life?”

Jesus Himself warned: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.” (Matthew 7:21)

A person can pray a prayer and never surrender. A person can walk an aisle and never bow the knee. A person can claim Jesus while still holding tightly to the throne of their own heart. True salvation is not merely receiving Jesus as a helper. It is receiving Him as King.

The gospel invitation is not: “Invite Jesus into your life so He can make your dreams come true.” The gospel invitation is: “Repent, surrender, and trust the crucified and risen Lord who calls you to follow Him.” Jesus does not come into our lives to take a small place among our priorities. He comes as Lord to reorder everything. He does not ask to be a roommate. He demands to be King.

Your shepherd,

Pastor Mark