This bothers me. I’m not sure exactly why. I guess it’s because Jesus really deserves better, and maybe it’s the shock of poor theology. I don’t know.
It’s no surprise that many follow the broad path that leads to destruction. Jesus told us 2,000 years ago that this would be the case. And the idea that there would be wolves among the sheep, or tares among the wheat – both also exposed. We were warned to expect them.
“Lordship salvation” should not be an issue. It should not even be a question. I’m confident the early church did not argue over it, or take positions on whether or not one must make Jesus Lord and live out the unavoidable, and undebatable, implications of that understanding. But today we have well-known and highly influential Christian leaders going so far as to say that “Lordship salvation” is a heresy.
And the support for this conclusion? The thief on the cross. Find just ONE CASE where “Lordship” is apparently not possible, and suddenly it becomes optional. Or even unnecessary. “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” (Luke 23:43) If being crucified was the only way to get saved without making Jesus the Lord of your life, do you think these opponents of “Lordship Salvation” would choose it?
Words mean things. One of the most clarifying and fundamental statements concerning salvation – and one we all quote – is in Romans 10:9 “ …that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” I’ll acknowledge first that what one believes in his heart is essential, but “man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Sam. 16:7) We can’t know that part, but what about the confession? Where scripture says, “confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus,” is this just a magic phrase? Is this the “password” to get into the kingdom? Is this just words?
I would submit that this is not just formal language, but that there is meaning. If someone makes wedding vows, they aren’t “just words” and all concerned would be horrified if the person taking those vows said, “I was just following the script. I have no intention of actually changing my behavior to comport with what I said.”
So what does “Lord” Jesus mean? In the early church, they had no doubt. The “Lord” was the one who had authority, the one to whom all were accountable. The “Lord” is the One to whom we OWE obedience and complete submission. The One who is LORD is, as a matter of Divine right, completely entitled to everything at all times and in all places. His jurisdiction is all-encompassing. His authority is complete. Jesus declared this when He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me” (Matt. 28:18) and the early disciples fully understood this. This is what Peter asserted when he said, ” … God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” (Acts 2:36 emphasis added)
But these “lordship is optional” folks quickly scamper for cover in Acts 16:31 where the Gentile jailer asks the specific question: “What must I do to be saved?” Paul’s answer, “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ” is offered, emphasizing “believe” and ignoring the “Lord” part of the object of that saving belief. If words mean things, then believing on the LORD Jesus Christ (note: not “Savior Jesus Christ”) has implications. If you BELIEVE that Jesus is Lord, then that necessarily changes things. If you are just repeating a formula and don’t really mean what you are saying, then you are LYING. You are affirming with your mouth what you are denying by your continued self-centeredness. If Jesus does not, in fact, become the Lord of your life, your “Christian life” becomes a lie, and liars do not fare well at the end (Rev. 21:8).
The “new” gospel is that you confess things about Jesus and trust Him – but Lordship or commitment to Him or life changes are optional. This is the “selfish gospel.” You claim that all your sins are forgiven, but you refuse to surrender “self” to the Lord you claim to believe in. You maintain “lordship” of your life. Jesus is certainly free to offer guidance, but you are not required to follow it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkHVuo_7kbg – “Jesus paid it all. He doesn’t want my two bits. He doesn’t want anything I do, and He doesn’t want my commitment, because He found out I lied about that two or three times.” Yes, we slip and fall. He picks us up and forgives us. He never says “quit trying.” But McGee is sadly mistaken in saying “He doesn’t want my commitment,” because Jesus DOES want your commitment. Where McGee got this contrary idea is a mystery to me.
We have a culture of violence, and the “salt” has become savorless with uncommitted “Christians” who believe salvation is just a ticket to heaven and has nothing to do with being committed to Christ, submitted to Christ, or transformed by Christ. We should only be surprised that things aren’t worse than they are.
Imagine a football team where all the players are expected to do is believe they have a great coach. No practice, no workouts, no change in diet. If somehow a player gets knocked down, he just stays where he is but “believes” in his coach a little more. To make this more analogous to today’s situation, let’s suppose the head coach really is good, but his assistant coaches are telling the players that workouts are optional. During a game, catching a pass or tackling the other team’s ball carrier or blocking – these are all optional, and you can be a perfectly good football player without engaging in any of this. Crazy, right? Blocking, tackling, scoring touchdowns and related activities are what it means to be a football player. It’s not just putting on your pads and sitting on the bench.
That to say this: living under the total Lordship of Christ is what it means to be a Christian. Submission to His Lordship is not some odious burden; rather, it’s a privilege and a delight. Someone offering you “Christianity” without Lordship is offering you savorless salt. To re-cast the discussion as “works-salvation” is to miss the point completely, as we’re not talking about earning or deserving salvation. We’re talking about salvation, of which forgiveness of sins is one part. And while it’s unquestionably true that none of us can do anything to atone for our sins, it is also true that there is more to being saved than just being forgiven.
The essence of saving faith is transformation. Having your sins forgiven is part of that. Being with Jesus for eternity is another part. But becoming like Him and becoming His companion is a MAJOR part. Yes, you must make Jesus your Lord in order to be saved, because that’s what salvation is.
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