Lordship salvation is the belief that saving faith in Jesus Christ involves more than just mental assent to the gospel. Advocates of lordship salvation affirm that true, biblical salvation requires a person to repent of sin and submit their life fully to the lordship of Christ. This goes beyond simply believing facts about Jesus to entrusting one’s whole self to Him as Lord.
The doctrine of lordship salvation stands in contrast to the view known as “easy believism” or “cheap grace.” This is the idea that a person can be saved by merely acknowledging certain facts about Jesus without any commitment to follow Him as Lord. Lordship salvation proponents see this as an inadequate view of salvation that does not fully capture the biblical portrayal of conversion.
The main points of lordship salvation can be summarized as follows:
Faith Involves Surrender to Christ’s Lordship
According to lordship salvation, true saving faith involves more than mental assent to facts about Jesus. It requires submitting oneself to His authority. Jesus is not just Savior but also Lord (Acts 2:36; Romans 10:9). Saving faith is not just accepting truths but entrusting oneself wholly to the person of Christ.
Genuine Faith Produces Obedience
Lordship salvation teaches that while works cannot earn salvation, true faith will necessarily result in a life of obedience. Good works are the evidence of conversion, not the cause. Those who continue in unrepentant sin reveal that their faith is not genuine (1 John 3:4-10; James 2:14-26).
Repentance of Sin is Essential
In order to receive Christ as Savior, one must repent of sin. Repentance involves turning away from sin and surrendering one’s life to God. It is an integral part of saving faith, not an optional add-on (Luke 13:3; Acts 3:19). Those who have not repented have not truly believed.
Saving Faith Perseveres
Lordship salvation affirms the biblical teaching about perseverance – that true believers will continue in faith and obedience (John 8:31; Hebrews 3:14). While they may stumble into sin, they will not abandon their trust in Christ or pursue a lifestyle of unrepentant sin. Perseverance is the mark of those who have authentically been saved.
Emphasis on Christ’s Lordship in Preaching
Advocates of lordship salvation stress the importance of proclaiming Jesus as Lord when preaching the gospel. Inviting people to follow Jesus as Lord and Savior most fully represents the call of the gospel message. Preaching repentance and submission to Christ should accompany sharing the facts about Christ’s death and resurrection.
Criticisms and Responses
Critics of lordship salvation raise several concerns about this doctrine:
It Confuses Justification and Sanctification
One common criticism is that lordship salvation confuses the doctrines of justification and sanctification. Justification is God’s declaration that we are righteous through faith alone in Christ. Sanctification is the process of spiritual growth. Critics argue that obedience and good works pertain to sanctification but should not be made requirements for justification.
In response, lordship advocates make a distinction between saving faith as the free gift of God versus the evidence of true faith. Obedience is not a condition or cause of justification but the result and proof of authentic conversion. Lordship does not make sanctification prerequisites for justification.
It Denies Grace and Adds Works to Salvation
Some critics contend that lordship salvation is a form of works righteousness. They argue that requiring repentance, obedience, and perseverance denies salvation by grace alone through faith and improperly adds works to the gospel message.
However, lordship salvation proponents affirm salvation is completely by God’s grace and cannot be earned. Good works testify to true conversion but are not meritorious grounds for justification. Lordship upholds salvation by grace while also stressing the biblical truth that authentic faith will inevitably bear fruit in a changed life.
It Promotes Legalism and Undermines Assurance
Some object that emphasizing obedience and good works may lead to legalism or undermine the believer’s assurance of salvation. They argue it imposes manmade requirements rather than relying on God’s grace.
Lordship advocates respond that they are not inventing extrabiblical rules. The call to repentance and submission to Christ comes from Scripture itself. While no one will be perfectly obedient, the general pattern of a believer’s life will be toward increasing holiness out of love for God. Genuine believers may stumble but will persevere by God’s grace.
It Exceeds the Biblical Portrait of Saving Faith
Critics believe lordship salvation promotes an unbiblical view of saving faith. The New Testament examples of conversion do not always mention repentance or obedience. Lordship seems to expect too much.
However, lordship advocates do not deny that faith alone justifies. But they argue biblical faith contains an innate disposition and desire for obedience, even if not fully developed at conversion. The seeds and beginnings of submission to Christ as Lord accompany genuine faith.
Key Proponents
While earlier Christian leaders taught concepts related to lordship salvation, John MacArthur is often considered the modern champion of this doctrine. His book “The Gospel According to Jesus” outlined the case that Jesus preached repentance and surrender to His lordship as part of the salvation message.
Other notable recent defenders of lordship salvation include A.W. Pink, J.I. Packer, John Piper, and R.C. Sproul. Prominent institutions that advocate lordship views include The Master’s Seminary and Grace Community Church (John MacArthur) along with Desiring God Ministries (John Piper).
Implications for Ministry and Christian Life
Lordship salvation has several implications for ministry and Christian living:
Evangelism Should Call for Repentance
The gospel presentation should include a summons to repent and follow Christ, not just accept truths about Christ. The good news is not just that Jesus died for sins but that He is Lord and people must submit to Him.
Counseling Should Promote Obedience
Pastoral counseling should not merely offer psychological relief but point people to obedience to Christ. The goal is not just better feelings but life transformation through pursuing holiness.
Discipleship Requires Teaching on Lordship
Discipling new believers should involve instruction on submitting all aspects of life to Christ’s authority. Following Jesus as Lord impacts all of life, not just conversion.
Perseverance Is Evidence of Salvation
While believers stumble, a lifestyle of unrepentant sin indicates lack of true faith. Preaching and teaching should continually warn that those who do not persevere show themselves unsaved.
Legalism Must Be Avoided
While good works necessarily follow conversion, checklists of manmade rules must not be imposed. Submission to Christ should produce obedience to Scripture from the heart, not outward conformity to extrabiblical requirements.
Conclusion
The doctrine of lordship salvation emphasizes that Jesus is not only Savior but also Lord. Saving faith requires surrendering to His authority in repentance and obedience. While good works do not earn salvation, they give evidence of authentic conversion. Lordship salvation challenges “easy believism” and calls for radical commitment to following Jesus when preaching the gospel.
