Are You Able to Say, “Jesus Is My Lord?” Give Thanks to the Holy Spirit!

Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:3)

     When has your faith been tested?

     For early Christians, that question could mean life or death. There was a real test. In the days of the Roman Empire’s persecution of Christians, believers were commanded to worship false gods and curse Christ. Refusal could mean imprisonment or worse. Yet many stood firm. One Roman governor even wrote that true Christians could not be forced to deny Jesus.

     How is that possible? By nature, we don’t want a Lord. We want our own way. Scripture says our hearts are . . . . hostile to God’s will. Left to ourselves, we would never say, “Jesus is Lord,” at least not in true faith.

     No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. Faith is not something we create. It is something the Spirit creates. He works to turn our hearts, to open our eyes, and to lead us to trust in Jesus.

So if you believe and can say, “Jesus is my Lord,” give thanks! That is the Spirit’s work in you.

     And when others do not yet confess Jesus, don’t be surprised. Instead, bring them baptism and the Word. Point them to Christ. Pray for them. The same Spirit who changed your heart is still at work. By his power, many more will one day joyfully say, “Jesus is my Lord.”