Mean What You Say
But we must be sincere in our turnaround – accepting God’s ways means making Him Lord of our lives
You call Me Teacher, and Lord, and you say well, for I am (John 13:13) Every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philemon 2:11)
You Can't Fool God
Some people have the notion that by repeating a "prayer of commitment" or following some other simple ritual like being baptised somehow makes them into Christians, which gives them a free ticket to heaven when they die, regardless of how they live the rest of their lives on earth.
This is a sad and cruel delusion. When the bible speaks of God being "Lord", it is not referring to something like the UK honours system whereby someone is elevated to the second chamber of government (House of Lords) because of something they have achieved. Though they have the title of Lord, such people have little authority or even influence in the lives of most citizens.
Lordship in the bible speaks of total authority whereby we obey our Lord to the best of our ability (including being empowered by the Holy Spirit). That really is some commitment and cannot fail to radically alter the way in which we live our lives.
Real Change Takes Time
It isn't that total change is instantaneous. In fact, the bible likens it to someone being born naturally as a baby, needing to be nurtured and taught so that they gradually mature over a period of time. That is what God wants for us.
God would have us learn about Him, get to know Him better as Lord, Father and Friend so that we begin to really appreciate what He is like and what pleases Him. The Holy Spirit enables a process of change in accordance with our growing understanding of who God is and what He is like.
This is What Life is Really About
Life becomes radically different so that our whole purpose in living is changed. In fact our whole life experience changes. This is why the bible describes it as though we have been born again (this term has nothing to do with American politics).. In the words of Jesus, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."