Do You Have The Lord?

Over the years I have been asked this question many times. The question is scriptural and good, but I fear that it is often answered apart from any consideration of the Scriptures. This results in many people affirming to “have the Lord” when they know nothing of what the relationship involves or requires. If we intend to use a Bible phrase, we should use it consistent with its biblical context. Let us see how the phrase is defined in Scripture.

John wrote, “He who has the Son has life; he who has not the Son of God has not life” (1 John 5:12). John here speaks of the necessity of one having Christ in order to have life. According to the very next verse, the “life” of which he speaks is eternal life. So, the act or condition of having Christ or “having the Lord” is a connected to salvation. I have observed that most people who use the expression do make this connection. The question is how is it connected? What must one do in order to rightly claim that he “has” the Lord? The same apostle tells us in his next letter:

“Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God; he who abides in the doctrine has both the Father and the Son” (2 John 9, NASB).

John affirms that one “has” the Father and the Son provided that he doesn’t go beyond the doctrine of Christ, and provided that he “abides” or remains in that doctrine [or “teaching”]. The New King James says, “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ...” The Greek word that is translated “transgress” means to “progress” or “advance” beyond a certain point or limit. In this case, the warning is against progressing beyond the framework of the doctrine of Christ. Religious progressivism is, by very definition, sinful. We must respect Christ’s authority as it is expressed in His teaching. This passage is telling us that in order to have God one must receive, respect and apply the teaching of Christ in his life. To ask someone if he “has the Lord” is tantamount to asking him if he “abides in the doctrine of Christ?”

We still haven’t explained what it means to “have” the Lord. John explained this in 1 John 1:3, when he said, “That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.” John continues to discuss the matter of fellowship with God through verse 7. One “has the Lord” by having fellowship with the Lord. Verses 5 and 6 explain how one cannot walk in darkness (sin) and retain his fellowship with God. This compares to the first part of 2 John 9 where John speaks of “transgression.” One does not have the Lord if he transgresses. John then speaks in verse 7 of the necessity of “walking in the light” in order to retain fellowship with God. “Light” is truth. The “walking in the light“ of 1 John 1:7 is synonymous with the “walking in the truth” of 2 John 4 and 3 John 3 and 4. Since God's word is truth (Jn. 17:17), the walking in the light of 1 John 7 is synonymous with the abiding in the doctrine of 2 John 9. John’s writings serve as their own commentary. “Having” the Lord is equal to “having fellowship” with the Lord.

John also speaks of one’s “knowing God” in describing that person’s relationship with God. He taught that in order to “know God” one must “keep” God’s “commandments” and walk in the footsteps of Christ (1 John 2:3-6; 5:2, 3). Thus, fellowship with God is contingent upon one’s obedience to God and upon one’s faithful continuance in the doctrine of Christ.

Conclusion

What we learn from the above passages and parallels is that one “has the Lord” when he obeys the commandments of the Lord and when he abides in the teaching of the Lord. One does not have the Lord if he transgresses and refuses to abide in His teaching. What does this say about the popular theory that one may “have the Lord” while refusing to obey the Lord or respect His doctrine? Quite simply, that the theory is wholly unbiblical. So, dear reader, do you have the Lord? You don’t have Him if you have unpardoned transgressions, if you have not obeyed the Lord’s commands, and if you have refused to limit you actions to what is authorized by the doctrine of Christ. Sins are remitted through belief, confession, repentance and baptism (Acts 10:43; Mark 16:16; Romans 10:9, 10; Acts 2:38). Faithfulness is maintained by careful attention to, and continuance in, what is authorized by Christ in the gospel (Colossians 3:17). Do these things and you can honestly say that you “have the Lord.” Refusal or failure will result in your having not God! The choice is yours.

Tim Haile

Work Out Your Own Salvation

“Work Out Your Own Salvation”
Tim Haile, for the Parkway church of Christ

Though Bible students are always pleased to hear Scripture cited, they also know that Scripture can easily be taken out of context and misapplied. When context is properly represented, partial citations can be applied effectively. However, misapplication is far more likely to occur when partial citations are made. This may come as a surprise to some folks, but Bible verses are not established by their subject matter! Translators use chapter and verse numbers, not to distinguish topics, but to expedite study. Some Bible subjects span more than just one verse or even one chapter of Scripture. Partial Scripture citations can be dangerous if the context is not taken into consideration.

The words of our title come from Philippians 2:12. The very next verse begins with “for,” which introduces reason. Thus, verse 13 definitely needs to be considered with verse 12. Paul said, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, {13} for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”

In an effort to prove that salvation is obtainable through many different organizations, ways, paths and methods, some people cite only the words, “work out your own salvation.” But is Paul really telling people that they are at liberty to be saved however they choose? Is he saying that every person is authorized by God to concoct his own scheme of redemption? No, Paul’s admonition has a context. Notice that, just before this admonition, Paul had commended these saints for their sincere obedience. There can be no obedience without command to obey! Whose commands did they obey? Then, immediately after the admonition, he said that this obedience amounted to God working “in” them. The conclusion is unavoidable: These saints “worked out” their “own salvation” by obeying God’s will! They did not “work out their own salvation” by obeying their own will. Salvation is for those who “do the will of God” (Matthew 7:21). This can be demonstrated by reading the account of their conversion in the book of Acts. The Philippians were told to believe and be baptized, and that is what they did (Acts 16:30-33). They did exactly what Jesus had told the apostles to tell people to do (Mark 16:16). One “works out his own salvation” by knowing and obeying God (2 Thessalonians 1:8).

Visit our website at www.parkwaychurchofchrist.com. View past articles at http://parkwayarticles.blogspot.com. Please join us for worship and Bible study at our building located at 125 Hilltopper Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101. We meet each Sunday at 10:00AM and 6:00PM for worship, and Sundays at 9:00AM and Wednesdays at 7:00PM for Bible study. Our radio program is aired each Sunday morning at 8:00AM on the WKCT 930AM band. Phone: (270) 842-2049 – Email: timhaile@mac.com.