As I was growing up at the West Huntsville (AL) congregation, we had an hour-long Sunday night class for all the young people in the church. The class began with each of us saying a memory verse. Obviously, whoever went first got the “good ones” like “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). So, part of my life was finding the obscure verses that were very short which others just would not know. One of my favorites, which others seemed to overlook, was Ephesians 4:5—”One Lord, one faith, one baptism.”
Think about what this verse says—one Lord. While it is true that there are many who sit in places of authority on this earth—politicians, policemen, teachers, your boss—there is one Lord above all others and He rightfully is the only true Lord.
Before He left the earth He said—by the way, another short verse—“And Jesus came and spoke to them say, ‘All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth’” (Matt. 28:18). Think about the meaning of these words. He is above all heavenly creatures and has dominion over every mortal on this earth! He has all authority.
In the vision Daniel saw of the ascension of Jesus, he saw Jesus’ arrival in heaven and being brought before God. “Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed” (Dan. 7:14). What a momentous event this would have been to witness. All of creation is subject to Him.
However, many have served other lords. The entire basis of pagan idolatry is a rejection of the only Lord and bowing before an image of stone, wood or precious metal. Contrast the concept of asking the help and guidance from any inanimate item and the concept of seeking a personal relationship with a living Lord.
Now consider that much of the religious division in our land today is the result of changing the kingdom/church Jesus received when He came before God. The One who has all authority never gave any mortal any right to change it. It seems that if you do not like the kingdom of the Lord of lords and King of kings, we have ignored His authority and created our own religious body, giving us what we want not what He wants.
Think about how practical it is to honor Him who has all authority. I have no authority, except that which the Lord gives me, over any part of my life. I have no time that is not His, I have no money that is not His, I have no rules of life which are not His. May I suggest that you memorize that short verse and meditate on how it applies to all of your life!