2. LORDSHIP AND GOING HIS WAY

The first of the seven occasions in which Paul uses the phrase "in the Lord" is found in Ephesians 1:15, where he assures them of his thanksgiving and prayers for them, having heard of their "faith in the Lord Jesus". Make no mistake about it, when faith is put in the Lord, it will soon be "heard of". It just cannot be hidden and has far-reaching consequences. Family and friends who were familiar with you going your own way, are startled by the changes in your now going the Lord's way.

Paul would never forget the day he put his "faith in the Lord Jesus". That memorable day is recorded in Acts Chapter 9. Some commentators, seeking to minimize the supernatural in Saul's conversion, represent him as having been so affected by Stephen's martyrdom, that they paint him as one struggling hard to stifle his disturbing convictions by increased activity in persecuting the saints. But the Biblical account does not give a scrap of evidence for this interpretation. What we are shown is Saul leaving Jerusalem, "still breathing threats and murder" (Acts 9:1 ), and stumbling into Damascus, a devoted servant of Him whom he had hated an hour before. What happened? On his way to persecute saints, the Lord stopped him. Supernatural light "from heaven, brighter than the sun", Paul tells us, came "shining around" him (Acts 26:13 ).

The light was the token of divine presence, just like the shekinah glory formerly in the Holy of Holies. Shut in that blazing glory, Saul was face to face with the risen Lord who spoke with him. To the question:

Acts 9:4-6 "... 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?' And he said, 'Who are You, Lord?' Then the Lord said, 'I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' So he, trembling and astonished, said, 'Lord, what do You want me to do?'"

He recognised the despised Nazarene as Lord God. The Word in the Greek is KURIOS, meaning controller, having supremacy in the authority, used in the New Testament as the proper word for the Lord God of the Old Testament. The reality of the appearance of the glorified Lord is emphasized by the fact that Paul regarded this appearance on a level with the sight of the risen Lord, granted to the apostles before the ascension (1 Corinthians 15:7, 8 ).

Immediate recognition of Lordship brought immediate submission to the command,

Acts 9:6 "... Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."

The rest of his earthly pilgrimage was to demonstrate implicit, dependent and active faith in his Lord. He had set out on his own way to persecute the people of "the Way" (Acts 9:2 ). Now he had become one of them by turning from his way to go the Lord's way. From now on his life was to be lived under the control of the Lord's will.

Calling Jesus "Lord" is nothing to us unless it influences our practical lives. Everyone living under His rule will be sufficiently alike to show that they are all travelling by the one road, that of pleasing and serving the Lord. Have you stopped going your way? That is the real test of acceptance of the Lordship of Jesus over you - the evidence is going His way. Now the problem is that we love our own way, and yet have a tremendous desire to submit to the Lord's way. The matter can be settled by following in the classic footsteps that turned Saul right around into going the Lord's way.

Saul asked and had settled the question of doctrine: "Who are you, Lord?" Before you can go in His way, in full submission to His will, you must settle it that He is Lord, not a Lord, but the Lord. Steep yourself in the Scriptures until you are surrounded with the glory of the Lord. This must bring faith in His unquestioned Lordship.

He is revealed as the glorious, eternal, unchanging one,

Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."

In Revelation the living Lord tells you,

Revelation 22:13 "I am Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last."

Micah tells us He is:

Micah 5:2 "... The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting."

Again in Revelation be confronted with the glorious living Lord who is saying to you:

Revelation 1:18 "I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore ..."

Recognise that He is truly Lord and has the right to rule over you. Worship Him, and with Thomas confess to Him: "My Lord and my God" (John 20:28 ). Recognition of who He is leads to crowning Him Lord of your life. To help you to do that, meditate on Josiah Conders beautiful verses:

"Thou art the everlasting WORD,
The Father's only Son,
God manifestly seen and heard,
In Thee most perfectly expressed
The Father's glories shine;
Of the full deity possessed,
Eternally divine:

True image of the Infinite,
Whose essence is concealed,
Brightness of uncreated light,
The heart of God revealed:
Worthy, 0 Lamb of God, art Thou
That every knee to Thee should bow."