A. THE TENSION BETWEEN LORDSHIP SALVATION VS. EASY BELIEVISM
1. It’s a mistake to use pejorative terms, as if they were fighting.
2. John MacArthur, The Gospel According to Jesus, 1982, and Charles Ryrie, So Great Salvation.
3. Theologians tend to Lordship Salvation. Evangelists tend to Easy Believism; however, there are exceptions to both.
4. We might be describing how different people are saved, because of different backgrounds.
B. EASY BELIEVISM
1. ILLUSTRATION:
a. Only believe. The Philippian jailer asked, “What must I do to be saved?” Answer: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).
b. Look and live. The thief on the cross. “Lord, remember me when you come into Your kingdom” (Luke 23:42). Today, you will be with Me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).
2. OPPOSITE ILLUSTRATION:
a. King Agrippa knew but was lost. “For the king . . . knows these things (that Christ would suffer . . . be the first to rise for the dead . . . King Agrippa . . . I know that you do believe” (Acts 26:26-27). “Almost thou persuadest me” (v. 28).
3. STEPS TO SALVATION:
a. Intellect /knowing: you know you are a sinner (Rom. 3:23). You know Christ died for your sins.
b. Emotions/feelings: you are convicted (negative) for your sins and punishment. You have love (positive) for Christ.
c. Will/choice: you turn from sin and you turn to God. You pray to receive Christ (John 1:12).
4. WEAKNESS:
a. Sometimes tied to outward things; “raised hand” or “walk on aisle,” or “sign a card,” or “pray a prayer.”
b. Decision making not disciple making.
c. Watered down gospel.
d. Outward profession without inward possession.
e. An inadequate gospel, i.e. to save but not transform.
f. Produce unconnected church member.
g. Weak on repentance; “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3).
C. LORDSHIP SALVATION
1. ILLUSTRATION:
a. Total surrender. Jesus repeated, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” (Acts 9:4). Denied self, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” (Acts 9:6, KJV).
b. Rich Young Ruler. “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 18:12). He kept all the commandments but money gripped his soul. “Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor . . . and come follow Me” (Luke 18:22).
c. Repent and confess sin, prodigal son. “He came to himself . . . I have sinned against heaven and before you” (Luke 15:17-18).
2. OPPOSITE ILLUSTRATION:
a. Felix couldn’t repent. “Now as he (Paul) reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, ‘Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you . . . HE SENT FOR HIM (Paul) more often” (Acts 24:25-26). (Acts 24:25).
3. STEPS TO SALVATION:
a. Saving faith is unconditional surrender of self and complete submission to Christ. “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me” (Luke 9:23).
Can’t be saved when you have sin and know about sin in your life, but not repent.
Can be saved if you don’t know it is sin.
b. True faith starts with humility and reaches fruition in obedience. “Let him deny himself” (Mark 8:34).
c. Salvation is for those willing to submit everything to Christ.
d. Salvation is commitment to leave sin and follow Jesus at all cost. “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:17).
e. Forsaking oneself for Christ is not an option or later step, but is the sine qua non of saving faith.
4. WEAKNESS
a. Salvation by works. “For by grace you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves . . . not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Eph. 2:8-9).
b. Calls for works before salvation.
c. Eternal life is a free gift (Rom. 6:23).
d. Can’t make Jesus Lord, He is Lord.
e. It is impossible to completely surrender; we all have to fight the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.
f. Confess sanctification and salvation.
g. Following Jesus, denying self and taking up our cross is after conversion.
D. LOOKING AT BOTH SIDES
1. People are saved by both.
2. Both emphasize the gospel. “I declare unto you the gospel . . . that Christ died for our sins . . . and that He was buried, and that He arose again the third day” (I Cor. 15:1-4).
3. The difference has to do with the conversion experience. Illustration of door. The God side is regeneration, man side is conversion.
4. Faith is a leap into God’s arms, but the place from which we leap is different. Different cultures, needs, understanding and pressures.
5. Soul winners will present the gospel differently according to the calling, spiritual gifts and cultures. Soul winners will expect of unbelievers the conversion experience they experienced.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord,
I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
For more information on the TRBC Pastor’s Bible Class, log on to the Internet for TRBC Home page at www.trbc.org/pbc.
