365 Ways to Know God by Elmer Towns
(Devotional Readings on the Names of God)
DECEMBER 18
JESUS: LORD (DESPOTES)
But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false
teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying
the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.
2 Peter 2:1
Jesus is the Lord (kurios) who rules the hearts of those who willingly learn of Him. But Jesus is also the Lord (despotes) who will force submission on those who reject and deny Him. There are people who claim to know Jesus but hold false beliefs about Him. Jesus is the Lord (kurios) who gave them the freedom to believe, but He is also the Lord (despotes) who will punish those who reject the truth of Scripture. That’s because they have chosen to reject Him. The Bible describes their rebellion: “They willingly are ignorant” (2 Peter 3:5). Today, you have the Scriptures; read its pages, learn of Him, obey its truth, and know the Lord (kurios) intimately.
Jesus, I will open the pages of Scripture and will learn its teachings.
I will obey its truth and I will submit to Your rule.
Jesus will be the Lord (kurios) to you and He will bless you because you have yielded to His
rule. Pray for those who reject the truth, that their hearts will be turned to righteousness. To
those who reject Jesus, He will be the Lord (despotes) to judge them in the final day. Those
who reject the rule of Jesus today will be forced to submit to His decisions and judgment in
the future.
Jesus, I want to know doctrine as accurately as possible so I’ll
have Your blessing. I want to know You as intimately as possible
so I can be close as possible to the heart of God. Amen.
Reading: 2 Peter 2
Key Thought: You must recognize the lordship of Christ.
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