"To suppose that whatever God requireth of us that we have power of ourselves to do, is to make the cross and grace of Jesus Christ of none effect." John Owen

John MacArthur writes ~

'We do not “make” Christ Lord; He is Lord.!.

Those who will not receive Him as LORD are guilty of rejecting Him.

“Faith” that rejects His sovereign authority is really unbelief. Conversely, acknowledging His lordship is no more a human work than repentance
( 2 Timothy 2:25) or faith itself (Ephesians 2:8-9). In fact, surrender to Christ is an important aspect of divinely produced saving faith, not something added to faith.

The two clearest examples on the way of salvation in all of Scripture both emphasize the lordship of Jesus Christ:

“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved” Acts 16:31; and

“If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.” Romans 10:9

Peter’s sermon at Pentecost concluded with this declaration: “Let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ — this Jesus whom you crucified” Acts 2:36

No promise of salvation is ever extended to those who refuse to surrender and submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.!.'