Lordship Salvation, True or False?

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I recently had a dear friend ask me to clarify my position on Lordship and salvation. I know in previous posts I have said that if you don’t make Christ Lord of your life, then you probably aren’t saved. I didn’t know there was such a huge debate and controversy over this. The debate is over lordship salvation. I have enjoyed diving into this pool and taking it up in prayer and reading. I’ve become richer in the process. I thank this friend for bringing this up; it was an amazing exercise in questioning and defending what I personally believe. I think it is always a good thing to reflect on our beliefs, as it cleans away any cobwebs or dust bunnies.

What I Believe: Lordship Salvation

What I Believe: Lordship Salvation
I believe that the fruit of our salvation is making Jesus Lord. If we are truly saved, we will make Him Lord over our lives. In what I have read, this whole controversy over “lordship salvation” is about the order of salvation. Surely salvation is by grace alone, faith alone, and Christ alone – not works. But after we’re saved, if we don’t begin to make Jesus Lord of our lives, I would question the salvation. Discipleship is a process of growth, so no I am not saying zero to 60 in one clean step. But Lordship proves my salvation and strengthens my walk as a disciple.

Yes, Lordship and discipleship ARE synonymous. I cannot be a disciple of Christ without submitting to His Lordship. Scripture proves this clearly. In Luke 14, Jesus gives the following conditions of discipleship:

  • ‘If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple’ (Lk. 14:26).
  • Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple’ (Lk. 14:27).
  • So therefore, no one of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions’ (Lk. 14:33).

Wholehearted Devotion

Wholehearted Devotion
William Hendriksen explains the meaning of these verses in this way: ‘Wholehearted devotion, all-out loyalty, complete self-denial, so that one places himself, his time, his earthly possessions, his talents etc., at the disposal of Christ, is what Jesus asks.’

These scriptures show the commitment of the disciple. But do I have to make Jesus my Lord in order to be saved? Certainly not. That order is backwards. I can’t make Him Lord unless I am saved. But once I am truly saved, the spiritual progression is to make Him Lord. This whole debate is a little, “Which came first: the chicken or the egg?” But now you know my personal beliefs. Lordship and discipleship ARE synonymous; you can’t have one without the other.

Lordship and Sovereignty

Lordship and Sovereignty
I am currently working on and preparing my book, The Sovereign Touch, for submission to a major publisher. I am ready to get this book printed, and whether it is taken up by a big publisher or we self-publish it, it will be in print very soon (well, ASAP). Having to go through it again with a fine-toothed comb has been so fun. I am super passionate about this subject and have great zeal to see it in the hands of others.

When I had to define the book’s intended audience, the Lord revealed that it was written for people like YOU, other disciples on the journey of discipleship. If you didn’t know, this blog is a discipleship blog. It is directed and ordered for the disciple, by disciples—not the unsaved. We address “rubber meets the road” topics as the Spirit leads us through our own living process. This blog is as alive as I am, because it moves through our lives like a meandering river. We are enriched and challenged prior to anything being posted on Get Along With God.

I want to thank you for taking this journey with us, and letting Christ’s reflected light shine through us to illuminate you. This process is one of the most exciting journeys of my life. I love having it written in black and white to reflect and return to, over and over.

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Helen
3 years ago

Once Martha told of a little boy standing on the river bank while the other children played in the water. Later, he told of his day, ‘as if’ he’d jumped in too. You call us ‘to jump in’! Utter abandonment! Some things are learned best ‘right-out-loud’. No hidden corner with just you & God, because it must fit into life. Discipleship comes in His coordinated way, by God’s plan to BE Central, & for Love to increase. The twelve learned ‘right-out-loud’, for our benefit. That isn’t just words, it can be silence..but is seen in Love. In our movement through… Read more »

3 years ago
Reply to  Helen

We all have to live out loud in from of all don’t we? Love you Helen, thank you for sharing this.

Deborah
3 years ago

Interesting words…MAKE Jesus Lord…I see it as discipleship runs its course as LET Jesus be Lord…a bowing down…in the natural the world LET is something I can get my understanding around. This letting is a little by little releasing …bowing too..giving up..letting go…symaticcs for sure. Still it is the word or way that has always made me understand and grow in making /letting Jesus BE Lord of my life. It has so much to do with time and the Fellowship it affords…which has been a luxury. My journey has been a 36 year daily yielding to Jesus as Lord…letting…. Him… Read more »

3 years ago
Reply to  Deborah

For sure letting is the reality. He is Lord with or without my consent. ? I see the “make” as our active choice. It is the choice of letting. As you know Lordship is not done passively. It is a continual bowing. Thanks for sharing your insights too.

David
3 years ago

Can hardly wait for a black and white tangible book from you!
Praying for the other to appear soon also!!

3 years ago
Reply to  David

Keep praying David! I want this very much too. Love you buddy!

Martha
3 years ago

And I thank you for Discipling this Disciple. I learn and grow so much through your writings. They cause me to pause and question and dig deeper. They spur me on in my journey. They stir up questions as well as answer questions. They cause me to want to know Him more, love Him more deeply and follow like Him more abandoned. Thank you John.

3 years ago
Reply to  Martha

You could have given no better commendation and encouragement. Thank you so much Martha. That is exactly what I desire for these blogs. And they do the same for me as I follow the Spirit through them. Hope we can come back soon. Big love to you.

sue
3 years ago

I have remarked on many of the blogs, “I need to hear this again…….” so I want to thank you for going over and over in fresh new ways the truths HE has planted in your spirit from HIS Spirit. This blog brought back a memory from years ago after Martha had taught on making Jesus Lord of my life, I went to a meeting with the visiting pastor in a members home. I asked him what was his experience of making Jesus, Lord of his life. He just looked at me and never answered. That was needless to say… Read more »

3 years ago
Reply to  sue

Shockingly I think your experience is not uncommon. Unfortunately many don’t actually have Jesus functioning as Lord of their lives. Guess we have to continue to pray, huh? Love you Sue!