"Who Controls Your Life?"

Imagine for a moment that your life is represented by a circle.  Inside that circle, in the very center, is a throne.  On that throne sits -- by your choosing -- the ruling influence in your life.  Who is sitting on the throne of your heart?

Some put their enemies on the throne of their hearts.  These people allow their enemies to consume their lives.  Hate for their enemies controls their thoughts, their actions, and their attitudes.

Some put their friends or loved ones on the throne of their hearts.  Many allow their friends or loved ones to dictate what they wear, what they say, what they do, even what they believe about God.  Friends can be a blessing or they can be a curse.  Amnon had a friend, but he was the wrong kind of friend (read 2 Samuel 13).  The Scriptures warn:  "Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits’" (1 Corinthians 15:33).

Most put self on the throne of their hearts.  “What’s in it for me?” is the determining factor in the lives of those who are dominated by self.  If we will stop and think, however, the most miserable person and the most selfish person are one and the same!

We should put Christ on the throne of our hearts.  If we would experience an abundant life now (John 10:10) and eternal life in heaven (Romans 6:23), we must allow Christ to rule and control our lives!  Christ is Lord (Acts 2:36).  The word “Lord” means master, owner; one who has power or authority over another.  Is He your Lord?

Some may argue, “How can life be abundant if I have to live under the control of someone else?!?”  The beautiful thing about the Lordship of Jesus Christ is that He is a loving Lord who wants the best for us.  He knows what we do not – He sees what we cannot.  And so, to have the greater blessings which are spiritual in nature, we must trust Him and submit to His Lordship.  For Jesus to be our Lord, we must obey Him. The Lord instructs us to believe in Him (John 8:24), repent of our sins (Luke 13:3), be baptized for the remission of our sins (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:38), and continue to obey Him in all things (Matthew 7:21).  

Jesus has said, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).  He has also asked, “But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). 

 In our individual lives, if Jesus is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at all.

Each of us will serve someone.  Each of us will put someone on the throne of our hearts.  It may be our enemies, our friends or loved ones, our selves, Christ, or some other.  We’re going to serve someone!

Whom do you serve?  Who is your lord?

God bless you!

David A. Sargent / Glenn Sargent (David’s Dad)

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

To Subscribe to "Living Water" send a blank e-mail to:

                      HTML version:  subscribe-livingwater@lyris.dundee.net
                   TEXT version:  subscribe-livingwater-text@lyris.dundee.net

Follow this link to locate the church of Christ nearest you: www.churchsearch.org

Archived issues of "Living Water" can be accessed from our website at: www.creekwoodcc.org