Examining Lordship Salvation

Introduction

Lordship Salvation represents one of the most serious corruptions of Paul's gospel of grace for this present dispensation. This teaching has infiltrated many churches, adding works and commitment requirements to the simple gospel of grace revealed to Paul.

What is Lordship Salvation?

Common Teaching Points:

1. True salvation requires making Christ "Lord of your life"

2. Saving faith includes commitment to obey

3. Genuine believers will show consistent good works

4. Those without visible fruit were never truly saved

5. Repentance means turning from sins

Key Proponents Often Quote:

• "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 7:21)

• "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself" (Matthew 16:24)

• "Faith without works is dead" (James 2:20)

The Mid-Acts Truth About Salvation

Salvation is By Grace Through Faith Alone

• "For ye are not under the law, but under grace" (Romans 6:14)

• "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9)

• "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness" (Romans 4:5)

• "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:24)

Paul's Gospel is Simple

• "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

• "But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many" (Romans 5:15)

Problems with Lordship Salvation

1. Confusion of Programs

Kingdom Gospel vs. Grace Gospel

• Kingdom Gospel required works and repentance:

  • "Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 3:2)

  • "Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance" (Matthew 3:8)

• Paul's Gospel is pure grace:

  • "And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace" (Romans 11:6)

2. Mixing Law and Grace

Cannot Mix Systems

• "Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace" (Galatians 5:4)

• "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ" (Galatians 2:16)

3. Wrong Definition of Faith and Repentance

Lordship View:

• Faith includes commitment

• Faith includes works

• Faith includes surrender

• Repentance means turning from sins

Biblical Truth:

• Faith is simply believing/trusting:

  • "But to him that worketh not, but believeth" (Romans 4:5)

  • "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law" (Romans 3:28)

Repentance in This Dispensation:

• Repentance means a change of mind about who Christ is and what He accomplished:

  • "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of" (2 Corinthians 7:10)

  • "In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth" (2 Timothy 2:25)

• It is not:

  • Turning from sins

  • Promising to do better

  • Making a commitment to change

• It is:

  • Changing your mind about trusting your own righteousness

  • Acknowledging Christ's finished work alone saves

  • "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth" (Romans 10:4)

4. Confusion About Works

Works Follow Salvation But Don't Prove It

• Position: "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works" (Ephesians 2:10)

• Practice may vary: "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit...so that ye cannot do the things that ye would" (Galatians 5:17)

5. Misuse of Scripture

Wrong Application of Kingdom Passages

• Matthew 7:21 refers to kingdom entrance

• James writes to Israel about works before others

• John's epistles deal with fellowship, not salvation

The True Grace Position

1. Salvation is Instant

• Occurs at moment of belief

• No probationary period

• No works requirement

2. Assurance is Based on God's Word

• "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God" (Romans 8:16)

• Not based on our performance

• Not dependent on fruit inspection

3. Works Are the Result, Not Requirement

• "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works" (Ephesians 2:10)

• Works follow salvation

• Amount of works varies by believer

4. Security is Eternal

• "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life...shall be able to separate us from the love of God" (Romans 8:38-39)

• Based on Christ's work

• Not dependent on our faithfulness

Practical Implications

1. For Gospel Presentation

• Keep it simple

• Don't add requirements

• Focus on Christ's finished work

2. For Christian Growth

• Motivate by grace, not requirement

• Understand position vs. practice

• Rest in complete acceptance

3. For Assurance

• Look to Christ's work

• Trust God's promises

• Don't examine works for proof

Conclusion

Lordship Salvation:

• Corrupts the gospel of grace

• Adds works to faith

• Creates uncertainty

• Mixes dispensations

Paul's Grace Gospel:

• Offers free salvation

• Requires only faith

• Provides full assurance

• Rightly divides truth

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage" (Galatians 5:1)

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