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The second article of the Christian faith is a succinct introduction to the second person of the Trinity using four key names and titles: Jesus, Christ, Son, Lord. Each of the terms says something about this divine person and about those he came to rescue. Jesus saves. Christ is anointed to be our mediator. The last two titles are no different; Son and Lord explain Jesus in relation to believers.
This is how theology should be done. Through faith in Jesus we come to know that God is for us. So every insight into who Jesus is sheds more light on how Christ delivers God's beloved people.
And the way these two titles are paired is helpful. At first, Christ's lordship might seem undesirable. We are so committed to autonomy that we distrust anyone ruling over us. But our Lord is God's loyal, loving, self-sacrificing, courageous Son. Seeing Jesus not simply as Lord, but as the Son of his Father encourages us that this is just the Lord we should want.
This is vital because Christ's lordship makes sweeping demands. If Jesus is your Lord you will submit to him by obeying his holy will in hard situations. Christ is Lord of your marriage and of your friendships. He is Lord of your church life and your private life. He has every right to command you to take up your cross and follow him, sacrificing your selfish ambition, putting to death the deeds of the body (Rom. 8:13). This is hard. But he rules us as God's Son. He has shown us how to offer our bodies as living sacrifices. And he has done it first.