Nothing is more important than the gospel of salvation. This world and every human being within it, every person who ever lived or ever will, are all hurtling toward a moment of revelation and judgment. Those who lived by the Devil’s lie will receive their choice and live the eternal punishment reserved for Satan and his spiritual minions.
Those who have been given the gift of faith and repentance, who choose to trust in Christ’s singular work, will receive a different future. A divine eternal experience of joy and peace and love.
Seems simple at first glance. But I guarantee there are Christians who have read my previous two paragraphs and aren’t sure they completely agree. Historically, scholars and theologians have sought to agree on the essence of salvation since it has eternal importance. It would be tragic to get it wrong.
Most modern Protestant and Evangelical Christians look back to Martin Luther and his challenge to the Roman Catholic Church’s practices and doctrines at the time. His bold and biblical declarations of Christ alone, faith alone, grace alone, and Scripture alone, are well-revered foundations for our understanding of salvation.
Part of the exploration of these ideas throughout the past few hundred years includes the powerful biblical idea of being saved by grace alone (Ephesians 2:8). These are fruitful discussions. However, some theologians have warned against an unscriptural idea of grace that leaves out the lordship of Jesus. Their position has been called lordship salvation.
What is the Doctrine of Lordship Salvation?
The doctrine of lordship salvation is a theological perspective that emphasizes the lordship of Jesus Christ in the process of salvation. It asserts that true faith in Christ involves believing in His person and work and surrendering one’s life to His authority and lordship.
According to the proponents of lordship salvation, salvation is more than mere intellectual assent to certain doctrines or a one-time decision to accept Jesus as Savior. They argue that genuine faith necessarily leads to a transformed life characterized by repentance, obedience, and a desire to follow Christ.
In the New Testament, Jesus is known as the Lord Jesus Christ. These three terms hold important theological concepts, inseparable truths of the Person of the Messiah, and central to salvation. Christ is the eternal Word of God who came from heaven, the Person who always was, and always is, both King and Priest. Jesus reveals how the Son of God came to earth as a human being and how Jesus was both fully divine and fully human in the same being. To deny these ideas is to deny the Jesus who saves us.
Jesus is also Lord. He is in control and has ultimate authority over all things. “… God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). Paul declares this in his first sermon under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. This is the work of God, and to believe in Jesus is to believe in the Person who is both Lord and Messiah.
Proponents of lordship salvation argue that salvation is a transformative process in which the Holy Spirit works in the believer’s life, producing a change of heart and a desire to live in obedience to Christ. They maintain that faith and repentance are inseparable components of a true conversion, with repentance involving turning away from sin and submission to Christ’s lordship.
Critics of the doctrine of lordship salvation often raise concerns about the potential for works-based salvation or a legalistic approach to faith. They argue that it can be misinterpreted as a requirement to earn or maintain one’s salvation through personal efforts. However, proponents clarify that lordship salvation does not teach salvation by works but rather salvation that inevitably produces good works as a result of genuine faith.
The doctrine of lordship salvation has been long debated. Opposing viewpoints, such as free grace theology, argue salvation requires only faith in Christ for eternal security without necessarily requiring a visible change in behavior or submission to Christ’s lordship.
Ultimately, the doctrine of lordship salvation seeks to uphold the biblical understanding of faith as a transformative relationship with Christ. It emphasizes that salvation is a momentary decision and an ongoing commitment to follow Christ as Lord and Savior.
What Scriptures Deal with Lordship Salvation?
The doctrine of lordship salvation finds support in various biblical passages that emphasize the lordship of Christ and the inseparable connection between faith and obedience. Here are a few important ones.
Matthew 7:21: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Jesus highlights the importance of doing the will of the Father as evidence of genuine faith. This passage suggests that a mere verbal profession of faith is insufficient; true followers of Christ obey God’s commands.
Romans 10:9-10: “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.” Proponents of lordship salvation argue that true belief involves confessing Jesus as Lord, indicating submission to His authority and recognizing His lordship in one’s life. Confession of faith in Christ is inseparable from recognizing His lordship over all aspects of life.
1 John 2:3-4: “And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.” Those who believe in lordship salvation point to this verse to emphasize that a genuine relationship with Jesus will naturally result in a desire to keep His commandments and walk in obedience.
These are just a few examples of the scriptures associated with lordship salvation. Proponents of this doctrine draw upon these passages, among others, to argue that true faith in Christ involves both belief in His person and work and a surrender of one’s life to His authority and lordship.
What Are Different Theological Perspectives on Lordship Salvation?
The doctrine of lordship salvation has been a subject of theological debate within Christianity, leading to various perspectives and interpretations. While there is diversity of opinion, three primary theological perspectives on lordship salvation can be identified: the lordship salvation view, the free grace view, and the modified free grace view. We will focus on the second two as we’ve already discussed lordship salvation.
The free grace perspective emphasizes that salvation is received by faith alone in Jesus Christ, apart from any works or commitment. Proponents of this view assert that genuine faith is sufficient for eternal security and that the call to discipleship and lordship is separate from the issue of salvation. They argue that repentance and discipleship are important aspects of the Christian life but should be seen as the fruit of salvation rather than a requirement. They often point to passages emphasizing faith, such as Ephesians 2:8-9 and John 3:16.
The modified free grace perspective seeks a middle ground between the two aforementioned views. Advocates of this view agree with free grace proponents that salvation is received by faith alone and that good works or commitment do not contribute to one’s eternal security. However, they also affirm the importance of discipleship and lordship as essential expressions of genuine faith. They argue that while lordship is not a condition for salvation, it is a necessary response to salvation. modified free grace proponents emphasize passages that stress both faith and the call to discipleship, seeking to reconcile the apparent tension between the two perspectives.
It is important to note that the theological perspectives on lordship salvation reflect differing interpretations of Scripture, and sincere believers can be found within each camp. The debates center around the nature of saving faith, the relationship between faith and works, and the role of surrender and discipleship in the Christian life. Christians from different theological backgrounds engage in respectful dialogue, seeking to understand and interpret the Scriptures faithfully.
Despite the differences, it is crucial to recognize the shared foundational beliefs among these perspectives, such as the centrality of Christ’s work on the cross, the necessity of faith in salvation, and the importance of a transformed life. While the theological nuances may differ, all perspectives aim to uphold the significance of Christ and the salvation He offers through faith.
What are Lessons for Christians Today Regarding Lordship Salvation?
The doctrine of lordship salvation holds important lessons for Christians today, offering guidance on key aspects of faith and Christian living.
1. Surrender and Submission. Lordship salvation underscores the call for believers to surrender their lives to the lordship of Christ. It teaches that true faith involves a belief in Jesus, including a willingness to submit to His authority, yielding control of our lives to Him. This lesson reminds us to continuously examine our hearts, willingly surrender our desires and ambitions, and allow Christ to guide our lives.
2. Repentance and Transformation. Lordship salvation recognizes that faith in Christ leads to a turning away from sin and a desire to pursue righteousness. This lesson challenges us to engage in continual self-reflection, acknowledging and repenting of our sins, and allowing the Holy Spirit to bring about transformation in our character and behavior.
3. Obedience and Discipleship. The doctrine of Lordship salvation highlights the inseparable connection between faith and obedience. It teaches that genuine faith naturally leads to a life of obedience to Christ’s commands. This lesson encourages us to prioritize obedience to God’s Word, seeking to align our lives with His teachings, and growing as disciples of Jesus. It reminds us that following Christ requires active participation, intentional discipleship, and a willingness to obey His teachings.
4. Eternal Security. While lordship salvation emphasizes the importance of surrender and obedience, it also assures us of our eternal security in Christ. This lesson brings comfort and confidence, assuring us our salvation is grounded in the finished work of Christ, not our own works. It reminds us how our relationship with Christ is based on His faithfulness and grace, providing assurance and peace in the faith journey.
5. A Balanced Perspective. Lordship salvation challenges us to maintain a balanced perspective in our understanding of salvation. It emphasizes that our salvation is by grace through faith, highlighting the necessary response of surrender, obedience, and discipleship. This lesson reminds us to avoid extremes such as legalism or lawless seeking our own pleasure and to approach our faith with humility, recognizing the grace of God while also striving for holiness and growing in our relationship with Christ.
Lordship salvation calls us to surrender and submit to the loving authority of Christ through repentance and humility which transforms us and gives us hope. Every knee will bow and tongue confess (Philippians 2:10). Let us do that today while given the opportunity to submit by choice and love.
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