LORDSHIP SALVATION

WHAT IS LORDSHIP SALVATION

There's been much discussion about what is called "LORDSHIP SALVATION".  Some of you may say, "Lordship Salvation?  Never heard of it."  Others may say, "Lordship Salvation is heresy!!"

What is Lordship Salvation and why is there so much controversy around it?

Lordship Salvation is the theological doctrine that stresses that true faith in Christ involves not only acknowledging Him as Savior but also submitting to Him as Lord.

While it's true that we are saved by grace alone through faith alone, there must also be the commitment to live in obedience to Jesus Christ.  In Ephesians 2:10 we read:

 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

SAVED BY GRACE, NOT BY WORKS

Many who oppose Lordship Salvation mischaracterize this doctrine and accuse those who hold to LS of teaching a works-based salvation.  Some also say, "Well, you can't make Jesus, Lord, because He's already Lord."  That's true, but there are those whose lives don't reflect that Christ has made any transformation in their hearts and their claim that they have been saved is suspect.

Salvation cannot be earned.  We cannot do enough good works to earn or merit eternal life.  But the proof that we have been born again is a life marked by obedience to Christ.  The life of one who has surrendered to Christ will live like Him.  One who claims to be saved but lives a life of willful, unrepentant sin has not truly given their heart to Christ.  They're deceived.

Salvation has always been by grace alone through faith alone.  Lordship Salvation has never implied or taught that good works bring about salvation, but that salvation brings about good works.  Our obedience to Christ is proof of our salvation, but a life marked by willful sin and no heart or behavior transformation is proof that salvation has not taken place.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, Lordship Salvation has been grossly misrepresented by those who either misunderstand the concept or who are those who believe they can profess salvation in Christ, but live in willful, unrepentant sin.  James 2:17 says:  

Thus, also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead

And in 2:18 we read:

But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

Easy-believism says, "Just do this and you can be saved" (walk the aisle, repeat this prayer, get baptized), but there is no talk of repentance and turning from sin, so many in American Christianity are walking around thinking because they "did something" that they're saved.  But Scripture never teaches that we "do" something to be saved.  Even the act of repentance is something we can't do until it is granted to us by God (2 Timothy 2:25).  Lordship Salvation stresses that the proof of salvation is evidenced by the fruit we display in our lives.  A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit, and we must examine ourselves to see if we are bearing good fruit or bad fruit.