“Likewise you reckon also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:11
We can reckon ourselves alive unto God because of the power working within us that enables us to call upon Jesus Christ as Lord. “Now to him who is able to accomplish far more than all we ask or imagine, by the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21
The term for Lord in Romans 6:11 is Kurios in the Greek and refers to one supreme in authority, but more importantly it is slave talk. In the New Testament, the word Kurios (slave) is used 711 times, and always refers to Jesus as Master. Kurios is unequivocal in its meaning according to Kittle, a premiere Theological Greek Dictionary. Kurios has one meaning and that is slave.
In almost all English translations, the word Kurios is translated servant (it might be offensive) except when referring to a specific person, but in reality the word is undeniably “slave.” The New Testament writers had no problem referring to themselves as slaves, “Paul, a slave of Jesus Christ…” Romans 1:1; “James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ…” James 1:1; “Simon Peter, a slave and an apostle of Jesus Christ…” 2Peter 1:1; “Jude, the slave of Jesus Christ…” Jude 1.
The Christian is one who recognizes his life is not his own, he was created, rebelled, and was bought back by the sacrificial death of Christ. Such recognition can only mean one thing – a willful and loving submission to Jesus Christ as Lord and Master.
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