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At pivotal historical moments, rallying cries have inspired men and women to gather courage and fight against tyranny and oppression. On March 23, 1775, Patrick Henry, part preacher and part fire-brand orator, called on the Second Virginia Convention to raise militias to fight the British. After his spellbinding speech, the assembly was silent for several minutes, absorbing what they heard. Later, people remarked that it was “the boldest, most vehement, and animated pieces of eloquence ever delivered.” Moved by Henry’s rallying cry, one man who listened by an open window requested to be buried in that spot—and later, his wish was fulfilled. 

At the time, Virginia was the largest colony, and without the support of her delegates, there would be no war. Henry’s speech served as the tipping point that steered the delegation and the country straight into the American Revolution. Henry posed a moral question to the delegates. Would they listen to the siren’s song of peace or engage in an arduous struggle for liberty? Peace is always the prize, but is it true peace if it requires enslaving the people? Henry famously closed his speech and figuratively dropped the mic when he declared, “Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”

“Liberty or Death” became the rallying cry that launched the colonists into war, eventually leading them to victory. The people embroidered these three words on uniforms, painted them on flags, and carried them into battle. “Liberty or Death” captured the spirit of the age and has become enshrined in our American conscience ever since. Liberty is so precious that it’s worth the ultimate sacrifice to obtain it or, in some cases, retain it.  

The Rallying Cry “Jesus is Lord!”

Last week, I saw a news story that reminded me of the power of words. Although the rallying cry wasn’t eloquent in a Patrick Henry kind of way, it was no less courageous. It was not a call to arms but a call to account. You may question whether the cry came at the right time or context. However, the truth remains: these words divide people into two camps—those who believe them and those who do not. What were those three words? “Jesus is Lord!” and “Christ is King!”

I’m sure you saw the story. At a political rally, one of the candidates was discussing women’s access to abortion when two college-aged men shouted, “Jesus is Lord!” and “Christ is King!” They were instantly met with mockery from the stage and scorn from the crowd. They were told they were at the “wrong” rally and escorted out. The message to the watching world was clear. Believing in a sovereign God whose image is stamped upon every human life was unwelcome there. 

Many pundits expressed outrage over the incident, but should the crowd’s reaction surprise us? Doesn’t their response verify the claim? If Jesus were not Lord, would such a statement matter or make the news? Doesn’t it make sense that Satan, the Father of Lies, would want to obfuscate the truth and cover up the statement’s implications with mocking, jeers, and laughter? If he can distract the masses with clever sound bites and redirect our attention to the insulting nature of the incident, he can keep us from considering the claim’s veracity. 

One of Satan’s Favorite Tools

Satan masterfully distorts reality and redefines words and arguments. He flips the meaning of positive-sounding words like “choice” and “health care” into something far more sinister. By changing the meaning and implications of words, he redefines the argument (or attempts to, at least). 

While men and devils may try to redefine words, God’s Word never changes. Truth remains the same, and the freedom to choose is never detached from God’s moral law. “Thou shalt not kill” is pretty straightforward. The enemy knows God’s Word is clear, so he convolutes the argument with nuance and what-if scenarios—creating shades of gray where there is only black and white. When is it a life and not a clump of cells? What if the woman’s life is in danger? How dare they tell me what I can and can’t do with “my” body!  

The Most Powerful Words in the World

So, why does the rallying cry, “Jesus is Lord!” get you kicked out of a rally? Because the most offensive thing you can say to those who cherish death is to remind them of the one who conquered it. Words are powerful, and perhaps no more powerful words exist in all creation than “Jesus is Lord.” 

What does “Jesus is Lord” mean? The Bible says it means a whole lot…

IT SAVES: “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom. 10:9). By believing these words, people’s souls are transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of everlasting light. 

IT REVEALS WHO’S WHO: “Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says, ‘Jesus is accursed!’ and no one can say ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except in the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor 12:3). These three words are sweet on the lips of the redeemed. Only those indwelt with the Holy Spirit can say them and mean them. 

IT FORETELLS THE FUTURE: “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father” (Phil 2:9-11). Finally, whether we like it or not, every person who’s ever lived will confess these three glorious words one day. 

The rallying cry “Jesus is Lord” brings moral clarity where there is confusion and unleashes light where there’s darkness. But perhaps what Satan fears most is the implications of these words. If Jesus is Lord, he is sovereign over all of life, from conception to natural death, and that means we’re accountable to him. 

Choose Life

Isn’t it interesting that the great moral debate of our age is the same as it was in Patrick Henry’s day—only, as Satan loves to do, he has flipped it on its head? Henry said, “Give me liberty or give me death,” and the Pro-choice argument says, “Give me death so that I can have my liberty.” Jesus laid down his life, saying, “This is my body broken for you.” Abortion usurps Jesus’ holy words and uses them as their bodily autonomy argument, “This is my body!” Oh, how tricky and damning are these lies! Let’s commit ourselves to the unchanging Word of God so we can recognize the lies and combat them with truth.

Rallying cries unite people under a common cause and banner. There’s no issue more deserving of a Christian’s support than proclaiming, “Jesus is Lord!” This truth brings salvation and is the foundation of true freedom. God told the Israelites, “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live” (Deut 30:19). 

This November, I pray we’ll choose life because Jesus is Lord. He is sovereign over all the universe—from every star in the zodiac to every zygote. The zygotes are worth fighting for and deserve liberty; let’s rally together to protect them.

Jesus is Lord, and Christ is King both now and forever. Amen.

Cara