AVIZANDUM: Not Jesus Only

Avizandam. In Scots law, this term describes the careful consideration given by the judge before an important decision. Join me each week as we explore various topics from a spiritual perspective. and take matters Abyssendum All authentic Christians love the name Jesus. The angel of the LORD said to Joseph, She that is married will bear a son.

and you'll call his name Jesus. for he will save his people. From their sins.

So Jesus means Savior. one of the most beautiful and precious names of the Son of God. He is not only the Saviour of his people, referring to Israel, but also of the Samaritans, and all of the whole world. The Samaritan said, We know. That this is indeed the Saviour of the Lord.

of the world. And the Apostle John writes, And we have seen and testified. that the Father has sent his son To be the savior. of the world. We understand that we could never atone for our own sins.

Our blessed Saviour has come. and died on the cross for our sins.

So we love the name Jesus. Jesus is my Saviour. When the writers of the New Testament use the term Jesus, they are normally referring to his earthly ministry of his incarnation. and his atoning work on the cross. But the New Testament makes it clear.

That salvation is by believing in the Lord Jesus. Paul writes If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised them from the dead? You will be saved. Romans ten, verse nine.

So authentic followers of Christ confess That he is the Lord Jesus. The person of Jesus cannot be divided. We praise the Son of God. that He is our Saviour who dies for our sins. but we also bow before him and acknowledge him as Lord.

I can't help wondering That we may be somewhat uncomfortable with referring to Jesus as Lord. and therefore prefer the simple name Jesus.

So we hear people saying, I just love Jesus. It's Jesus only. All I need is Jesus and so on. I understand what they mean. But it is essential that Jesus is Lord of our lives.

Jesus taught that if we love him, We will keep his commandments. and whoever does not love me does not keep my words. That's the teaching of Jesus in John 14. Similarly, Jesus said, If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

So my challenge today is not only to acknowledge Jesus as Lord with your lips, But to be daily obedient to Jesus Christ. If you truly love the Lord Jesus, you will love His Word. and you will obey it. The parable of the sower teaches us That the honest and good hearts are those who not only hear the word, But hold it fast. Are you holding fast the word of the Lord Jesus?

Are you practising instant obedience? If you've been in the military, you know the importance of instant obedience. obeying the command of the superior officer immediately. You're not to argue about the command or delay obeying it, but rather you are to obey instantly. This obedience shows humility.

and a respect for those who are giving the order. Our enemy wants us to delay obeying Jesus. For example, you may know that you should be baptized as a believer in Jesus Christ. But You think you will do it one day. You know you should serve the Lord.

One day in the future, you think, you'll get round to it. You know you should be daily in prayer and in the Word of God. One day you think. You'll cultivate that discipline. Not to practise instant obedience means that were practising disobedience.

Several times in Scripture we read Today. If you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts. Our enemy says to morrow. Our Lord Jesus says to day, You hear my voice to day? Obey to day, not to morrow.

Now is the day of salvation. May God give us the grace, the wisdom, the strength, and humility to practice instant obedience. Never forget. He is the Lord Jesus. Avizando.

You're listening to the weekly Avizandam podcast from The Verdict, featuring Pastor John Monroe. John is senior pastor at Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Listen to John's daily program, The Verdict, on broadcast radio or major podcast platforms. For more information about the Verdict Ministry, visit us online at calvarychurch.com slash the verdict.