Accepting Jesus as Savior and Accepting Him as Lord
There is a difference between accepting Jesus as Savior and accepting Him as Lord. Accepting Jesus as Savior is often referred to as Justification. This experience takes place when a person – gets saved – from all past sins when he asks for God’s forgiveness by faith. This is an instant experience. “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law” (Romans 3:28).
On the other hand, accepting Jesus as Lord is often referred to as Sanctification. This experience takes place when a person is – being saved – from the power of sin as he surrenders daily to God and walks in obedience to His word. This is a life time process. “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth” (2 Thessalonians 2:13).
Sanctification takes place when a person holds to Christ daily (by study of the Word and prayer) and cooperates with God’s power to overcome the weaknesses of the body for a person is “sanctified by the word of God and prayer” (1 Timothy 4:5). The Christian will allow the Lord to do His will in his life and bring much fruit.
The only way this process stops is when the believer cuts himself off deliberately and disconnects himself from the His Redeemer. Jesus said, “If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned” (John 15:6).
It is possible that a person may experience Justification and accept Jesus as Savior but because of the troubles of life, temptations, worries …etc. fails to stay connected to the Lord through the study of the word and prayer thus allowing sin to prevail in his life and eventually become the dominant power there. Thus, this person fails to grow in the Lord and loses his first love and his faith weakens (Revelation 2:4). Therefore, It is very important not just to have Jesus as our Savior but also abide in Him as our Lord.
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In His service,
BibleAsk Team
