Who am I following? Who am I serving?

For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; He will save us (Isaiah 33:22).

Who is it (or what is it) that I depend on? Surely that in which I trust is that which I believe?  In short my life is guided by that in which I believe and the way I live, together with the confessions of my mouth, reveal the foundation of my heart; or using modern speak, reveal our world view.

1) The Lord is our Judge

Whether or not we confess God to be God or not, He is our judge and He will judge all mankind (Ecclesiastes 12:14, Romans 2:1-16). At the end of the day our final accountability it towards God (Yahweh) and it is towards Him that I (in my own capacity) will give an account of my life. The only choice I have in this regard is whether or not I willing submit to His as my Judge. In light of Matthew 21:44 I either cast myself on God and His mercy, allowing Him to break me and then mold me into what He wants me to be or else He will ultimately fall on me and crush me.

2) LORD is our lawgiver

It does not matter whether or not I believe a country's laws to be just or fair, if I am caught breaking any of them, I will face the consequences. Once again, whether or not I serve God, I am subject to His laws and commands and just because I may appear to be getting away living life my way, ignoring what God has instructed as to be the right way to live doesn't mean that I won't ultimately be bought to account for this. What is more, God is not mocked; we can try an create new laws containing all-embracing , politically correct phrases like "Pro Choice" or "Marriage Equity" but if they violate what He calls to be Holy and Just then then they will not only be invalid but will ultimately lead to my perdition. The sad truth is that even though God is the only lawgiver, mankind as a whole no longer allows Him to be the foundation of their governance and law-making.

While my nation, family or friends might not submit to God, am I? As I live life am I doing so in accordance with His will? Is He MY lawgiver?

3) The LORD is our King

Irrespective of your world view, Yahweh is  the King of kings and Lord or Lords. That said however, is He my King i.e. have I surrendered my will to His and is His wish my command? Am I His servant? This side of eternity we are still free to make this choice but the day is coming when every knee should bow, and  every tongue  confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:10-11). But on that day, the opportunity for salvation would have passed and if I hadn't known Him during my life as my redeemer King then in that day I will only be able to know Him as the King who righteously Judged me and found me wanting.

4) He will save us

This last point can only apply to my life if the previous three are true. Given that He is the Righteous Judge who rules according to His Holy and unchanging Laws, He can only redeem us if we live according to His statues. With this in mind a brief overview of His Law is concerning:

• The soul that sins shall die (Ezekiel 18)
• Our righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6)
• All have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God (Romans 3:23)
• The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23)

However through the condemnation comes the salvation too i.e. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). In short as we confess our need of Him, accepting the death, burial and resurrection of His Son for our sins (Romans 10:9) then our Judge becomes our advocate (1 John 2:1) and through the death of Christ we are saved.

Now I have no issue with the fact that I am saved and that not because of any good that I might deem to be within myself but because of, and only because of the competed work of Christ on Calvary. But that said, am I daily, moment by moment submitting to God as my King, allowing Him to judge my heart, using His laws and commands to lead and direct my steps so that one day with joy I can stand in His presence as He presents me faultless before His (and my) Father? And may all this be done with Joy!

In closing, the way that I live my life will bear testimony to whether or not the LORD is my judge, the LORD is my lawgiver, the LORD is my king; and whether or not He will, with Joy, be able to call be home to be with Him one day.