LORDSHIP SALVATION

An 'easy believism' theology has crept into today's church. 

It rejects any need for repentance and sees no obligation to live a transformed life. Proponents of this liberal ideology take the following verses out of context to justify their position. 

For God so loved the world, that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

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 

The term 'cheap grace' was introduced by Dietrich Bonhoeffer in his book, The Cost of Discipleship. It refers to a carnal form of Christianity that teaches ... 'as long as you make a profession of faith, you're saved; even when there is no evidence of a changed life'.

The Bible teaches something else; that you cannot claim Jesus as Savior without surrendering your life to His Lordship. Christ told a crowd of listeners that salvation and obedience go hand in hand ... Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? (Luke 6:46). 

Paul wrote that God's grace overrules sin ... 'Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so, might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.' (Romans 5:20-21)

But right after that, He emphatically stated: What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? (Romans 6:1-2) 

Salvation is more than just mouthing 'Jesus is Lord'. You are not saved by a simple profession of faith. You are not saved by praying a Sinner’s Prayer. You are not saved by signing a card or walking an aisle. 

It is not a formulaic transaction ... it is a spiritual transformation.

If Christ is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at all.