For a moment, let’s play with semantics.
Many people refer to Jesus as “my” Lord and “my” Savior, as if he is someone we possess. “My” connotes ownership, as if a person owns Jesus, as if he is theirs alone.
It may be easier to say “Jesus is my Savior” or “Jesus is my Lord.” But when we try to evangelize, it is like we are offering a person a piece of something we own. It is like we are giving a person a gift instead of them receiving the gift from God.
“My” can imply a selfishness that may sound like a person is not willing to share Jesus with others. It may even suggest a type of arrogance, or a false pride that a prized possession is held close and lorded over those who do not have the same.
And as you know, when someone possesses something, others may feel jealous, or put down, or want to take it away, or downplay its importance.
I wonder the impact of expressing belief in Jesus in different terms. What would be the impact if Christians professed Jesus as “the” Lord and “the” Savior instead of “my” Lord and “my” Savior?
“We already do that,” you might say. But when sharing your testimony, is that truly what you say? Do not most say, “Jesus is my Savior?"
“Jesus is the Lord” has a very different meaning than “Jesus is my Lord,” and carries a lot more weight. "Jesus is the Savior” has a very different meaning than “Jesus is my Savior,” and presents a statement of faith that is to be true for all persons. Words that imply the possession of Jesus narrow the impact he has on life.
Making statements sounding of possession allows for the possibility there are other methods of salvation, other lords in life.
Whereas this may be true in a worldly sort of way, those other lords and saviors do not lead to the forgiveness of sin and the attainment of salvation promised by Jesus Christ.
Yes, it is a matter of semantics. And this may seem to be a silly little argument. But words make all the difference in the world, and in the world to come.
Jesus is not “my” Savior nor “my” Lord to own or possess or keep to myself. He is “the” Savior of all. He is “the” Lord of all.
We belong to him. He does not belong to us.
The Rev. Mark Broadhead is Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview's pastor.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: FROM THE PULPIT: Let's end the practice of possessing Jesus