Johnny had been misbehaving and was sent to his room. After a while he came out and told his mother that he had thought it over and said a prayer. His mother said, “Good, if you ask God to help you not misbehave, He will help you.” Johnny replied, “Oh, I didn’t ask Him to help me not misbehave. I asked Him to help you put up with me.”

He is like another little boy who was overheard praying, “Lord, if you can’t make me a better boy, don’t worry about it. I’m having a really good time like I am.”

These two boys show us our sinful nature. I want to do what I want to do and don’t want anyone telling me otherwise. That is the way of this world. But that is not how it should be for the disciples of Jesus. We should have a different standard.

1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord

Jesus should be the one in control of our lives. He should be the Lord, the master of our lives. He bought us back from sin and death, gives us forgiveness and the certainty of eternal life, and we should show our gratitude by living under His guidance and direction.

Think about this: if there are areas of your life where Christ is not in control, then who is in control? If Christ is not the Lord of some part of your life, who have you put in that position? The devil will tempt us not to let Jesus be the Lord and Master, not to let Him have control, trying to convince you that you can take care of things all by yourself. That is when we need to focus on the cross. Remember the love of God that led Him to send Jesus to that awful death in your place, so that your sins would not be held against you. Your faith in Jesus means He is your Savior. He has saved you from death and everlasting condemnation. The follow-up to knowing and believing that is to let Him be your Lord, your Master, too. Let Him be in control.