We live in a world where thrones, kings and queens, princes, and princesses are held in high esteem. For little girls these positions seem magical and something to chase after. Parents spend loads of money to take their little girls to Disney parks where they can experience the make-believe world of royalty. Just recently the world witnessed the crowning of a king in England where Charles succeeded his mother after her death. This monarchy will change each time the king or queen in the royal line dies. However, there is one King that will never die and never be dethroned. Yet, multitudes reject Him as their King and seek to overthrow Him, but it will never happen.
I ask you today who is on your throne? Any Christian would reply with the words Jesus. They understand what the scripture teaches about Him being first, yet He is only on their throne in words or imagery only. Their lives do not exhibit submission to the King.
How do we exhibit that we are honoring and submitting to the King of Kings? First, we must understand that Jesus has been highly exalted to that position by God our Heavenly Father. In Philippians, God exalts Him and one day EVERY knee will bow. At the end of time, He will be acknowledged by all as the King, and no one is His rival.
Philippians 2:9-11 “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Second, we submit to God as our authority on all things, especially when it comes to resisting temptations that could easily cause us to sin. James 4:7 teaches us to “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Third, if we are married the wife is to submit to the husband. Not a subject most would agree with in our world, but God set the plan in place and when done in God’s way it is beautiful. The husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church. Christ loved us so much that He gave His life for us. A marriage that is scripturally correct will yield a blessed home that will train godly children and honor God.
Ephesians 5:22 – 25 “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”
Fourth, we move from home to the workplace. In Ephesians 6:5-9 the servants are the employees and Masters are the employer. Paul gives these instructions for who is in charge and how we are to respond. “Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.”
Fifth, we move to how we are to respond to the governmental authorities God has placed over us. In the book of I Peter 2:13 -17, we are taught that if God is our King, we will submit to the laws of the land. The only exception to not following the laws of the land is if they violate God’s command.
I Peter 2:13-17 “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.”
Last, we have a biblical principle that governs everything about us in Romans 12:1-2. If we keep this, it will take care of the others. It will show who is our King.
Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
How well are you doing as you examine yourself against these passages of scripture? Are your habits placing Jesus as the King on the throne of your life? We all have room for improvement, but the key is to keep moving closer to God, day by day. When you stumble you get up and go again. You keep going until you see the one who has “King of kings and Lord of lords” inscribed on His robe and His thigh. You will either stand before Him as your King or as your judge. It is your choice.
Revelations 19:16 “On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.”
