Going back to the beginning, unbelievers have not quite known what to call Jesus’ followers or what to do with them. After Paul’s arrest, he found himself in the presence of a Roman official named Felix. By this time, everyone was hearing about the “people of the Way.” Outsiders called them Christians or little Christs. Within the body of Christ, they called other believers “disciples” or learners.
During his imprisonment, Paul took the opportunity to share his faith with these Roman officials. Jesus had told him he would testify and so he did. As Paul spoke about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, the Roman Procurator Felix became fearful. Don’t get me wrong. Felix was a high ranking official. But Paul was telling him that the living God is a consuming fire. A whiff of that thought made Felix more than a little anxious.
A non-Christian friend once asked me if I really believed God would judge sin some day. I said, “Yes,” and told him that his knee would someday bow to Jesus and his own mouth would acknowledge Jesus as Lord. He had the same response as Felix. “No more, for now.”
Is Christ convenient to us? Felix promised Paul he would bring him back at a “convenient” time. Believing Jesus Christ is Lord of all is never really convenient. It is not just an option like tinted windows or aluminum rims or a seat warmer in your car. The Lordship of Jesus Christ is the central truth in human history. Since Jesus is Lord, we will all ultimately serve him. Humanity has organized history around Jesus with the designations B. C. and A. D. If he defines human history, we should surely organize our lives around him as well. Say it with me today, “Jesus Christ is Lord.”
