now as he went on his way, he approached damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. and falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “saul, saul, why are you persecuting me?” and he said, “who are you, Lord?” and he said, “i am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. [acts 9:3-5]
recognizing God’s authority:
when faced with the truth of the living God, there is no ‘neutral’ response–we will have have one of two responses–rejection or submission to Jesus as our authority. the world knows that there is right and wrong–the world knows that there is a God who judges, and their denial is only a choice to worship another god, themselves:
for the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. for what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. for his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. so they are without excuse. for although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. [romans 1:18-22]
when saul, on the road to damascus is confronted with the Living God, Jesus Christ, he recognizes his authority by calling him Lord-kyrios which indicates one who is master and in supreme authority.
as we come into the presence of God, we do so under the banner of “Kýrios Iēsoûs”–Jesus is Lord!
therefore i want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit. [1 corinthians 12:3]
Jesus longs to tell those who reject his authority who he is and call them to repentance. whether this call happens through a blinding flash of light or through using missionaries in foreign countries or christians in their homes, neighborhoods and jobs to tell the truth of the gospel, the response is always a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit–because no one can fall on the ground, desiring to be under authority of the Sovereign Lord without him. let us pray boldly that the Holy Spirit would work in and through us to call many sons and daughters to proclaim, falling on the ground: “Kýrios Iēsoûs”–Jesus is Lord!
~ ce