I am in the book of 2 Corinthians in my daily Bible reading. What a turn-around this former blasphemer made in his life. This is what life in Jesus does for those who follow Him. There is nothing so evil, so shameful, so broken that we cannot put it behind us—not simply to forget our past, but because Jesus washes it away by His blood.
In chapter five, Paul talks about the hope we have beyond this life—that one day we will lay aside our broken, earthly bodies and put on a perfect, imperishable one. Listen to how he puts it:
"For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.
He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord,
for we walk by faith, not by sight.
Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5:4–8 ESV).
As amazing as the promise of a new body is, what Paul says about Jesus strikes me even more deeply. For Paul, Jesus went from being a blasphemed name to being Lord.
Lord.
Kyrios.
The Master to whom all things and all people belong.
When Paul called Jesus Lord, he was declaring complete submission. His life, his actions, his words—all came under the authority of the crucified and risen Savior. Over and over in this letter, Paul calls Him Lord, and here he even says that departing this life to be with the Lord is far better than remaining here apart from Him.
That’s the posture of someone who has been washed in the blood of the Lamb. That’s the heart of a man who has given his allegiance fully to King Jesus.
But what about us? Does our relationship with Jesus stop at “Savior,” or do we also confess Him as Lord? Are we content to receive forgiveness and eternal life without bowing our knees to the One who gave His life for us?
Paul’s testimony reminds us: the One who forgives our sins also reigns as Lord of all. To call Him Savior without submitting to Him as Lord is to miss the fullness of the gospel.
That’s why Paul later appeals so urgently:
"Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says,
'In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.'
Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 6:1–2 ESV).
So let me ask you: Is Jesus truly Lord of your life today? Not just in words, but in the choices you make, the way you speak, the way you love, the way you surrender? Do you live as though your life belongs to Him—or do you still try to serve two masters?
The transformation our souls long for comes only when Jesus is Lord in every part of our lives. When we kneel before Him daily, when we give up our own way to follow His way, then we discover that to be with Him is always better—not simply because of what He gives us, but because of who He is.
May we all declare with Paul: Jesus is Lord. Kyrios. Master. King. And may we live today as those who truly belong to Him.
Take a moment today to reflect: in what area of your life do you need to kneel more fully before Jesus as Lord? Share your thoughts, your prayers, or even a testimony of His Lordship in the comments—we grow stronger as we encourage one another.