Our rights vs. His rights

Our rights vs. His rights:

Being a Christian means dying to ourselves and surrendering our rights to another. The rejection of Jesus Christ is sometimes an intellectual problem and sometimes an ignorance problem, but it is always a surrender problem. We don’t easily submit ourselves to any authority, let alone One who claims dominion over every aspect of our lives. But Jesus has the right to be Lord over our rights.

Christ, according to Ursinus, can claim lordship over our lives for four reasons: by right of creation (He made us), by right of redemption (He saved us), by reason of preservation (He keeps us), and with respect to ordina- tion and appointment (God has exalted Christ and placed all things in sub- jection under His feet). Christ’s rule, then, is not some arbitrary authority by virtue of a military coup or political nepotism. His claim of lordship is well-founded.

Remember too, His lordship was also costly. Jesus Christ didn’t establish His authority by taking prisoners, executing judgment, and shedding the blood of His enemies. He is Lord because He shed His own blood, bore God’s judgment, and set the captives free. He purchased our bodies and souls with a commodity far more precious than stocks or bonds. He redeemed our lives by loving us enough to lose His own.

DeYoung, Kevin. The Good News We Almost Forgot: Rediscovering the Gospel in a 16th Century Catechism. Chicago, IL: Moody, 2010. Print.