John MacArthur on Lordship Salvation

What follows is from the Grace Community Church Distinctive on Lordship Salvation . It was adapted from John MacArthur's material on the topic of lordship salvation, and serves as an excellent introduction to the subject.

"The gospel that Jesus proclaimed was a call to discipleship, a call to follow Him in submissive obedience, not just a plea to make a decision or pray a prayer. Jesus' message liberated people from the bondage of their sin while it confronted and condemned hypocrisy. It was an offer of eternal life and forgiveness for repentant sinners, but at the same time it was a rebuke to outwardly religious people whose lives were devoid of true righteousness. It put sinners on notice that they must turn from sin and embrace God's righteousness. Our Lord's words about eternal life were invariably accompanied by warnings to those who might be tempted to take salvation lightly. He taught that the cost of following Him is high, that the way is narrow and few find it. He said many who call him Lord will be forbidden from entering the kingdom of heaven (cf. Matt. 7:13-23).

Present-day evangelicalism, by and large, ignores these warnings. The prevailing view of what constitutes saving faith continues to grow broader and more shallow, while the portrayal of Christ in preaching and witnessing becomes fuzzy. Anyone who claims to be a Christian can find evangelicals willing to accept a profession of faith, whether or not the person's behavior shows any evidence of commitment to Christ. In this way, faith has become merely an intellectual exercise. Instead of calling men and women to surrender to Christ, modern evangelism asks them only to accept some basic facts about Him.

This shallow understanding of salvation and the gospel, known as "easy-believism," stands in stark contrast to what the Bible teaches. To put it simply, the gospel call to faith presupposes that sinners must repent of their sin and yield to Christ's authority. This, in a nutshell, is what is commonly referred to as lordship salvation.

The Distinctives of Lordship Salvation

There are many articles of faith that are fundamental to all evangelical teaching. For example, there is agreement among all believers on the following truths: (1) Christ's death purchased eternal salvation; (2) the saved are justified by grace through faith in Christ alone; (3) sinners cannot earn divine favor; (4) God requires no preparatory works or pre-salvation reformation; (5) eternal life is a gift of God; (6) believers are saved before their faith ever produces any righteous works; and (7) Christians can and do sin, sometimes horribly.

What, then, are the distinctives of lordship salvation? What does Scripture teach that is embraced by those who affirm lordship salvation but rejected by proponents of "easy-believism"? The following are nine distinctives of a biblical understanding of salvation and the gospel.

First, Scripture teaches that the gospel calls sinners to faith joined in oneness with repentance (Acts 2:38; 17:30; 20:21; 2 Pet. 3:9). Repentance is a turning from sin (Acts 3:19; Luke 24:47) that consists not of a human work but of a divinely bestowed grace (Acts 11:18; 2 Tim. 2:25). It is a change of heart, but genuine repentance will effect a change of behavior as well (Luke 3:8; Acts 26:18-20). In contrast, easy-believism teaches that repentance is simply a synonym for faith and that no turning from sin is required for salvation.

Second, Scripture teaches that salvation is all God's work. Those who believe are saved utterly apart from any effort on their own (Titus 3:5). Even faith is a gift of God, not a work of man (Eph. 2:1-5,8). Real faith therefore cannot be defective or short-lived but endures forever (Phil. 1:6; cf. Heb. 11). In contrast, easy-believism teaches that faith might not last and that a true Christian can completely cease believing.

Third, Scripture teaches that the object of faith is Christ Himself, not a creed or a promise (John 3:16). Faith therefore involves personal commitment to Christ (2 Cor. 5:15). In other words, all true believers follow Jesus (John 10:27-28). In contrast, easy-believism teaches that saving faith is simply being convinced or giving credence to the truth of the gospel and does not include a personal commitment to the person of Christ.

Fourth, Scripture teaches that real faith inevitably produces a changed life (2 Cor. 5:17). Salvation includes a transformation of the inner person (Gal. 2:20). The nature of the Christian is new and different (Rom. 6:6). The unbroken pattern of sin and enmity with God will not continue when a person is born again (1 John 3:9-10). Those with genuine faith follow Christ (John 10:27), love their brothers (1 John 3:14), obey God's commandments (1 John 2:3; John 15:14), do the will of God (Matt. 12:50), abide in God's Word (John 8:31), keep God's Word (John 17:6), do good works (Eph. 2:10), and continue in the faith (Col. 1:21-23; Heb. 3:14). In contrast, easy-believism teaches that although some spiritual fruit is inevitable, that fruit might not be visible to others and Christians can even lapse into a state of permanent spiritual barrenness.

Fifth, Scripture teaches that God's gift of eternal life includes all that pertains to life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3; Rom. 8:32), not just a ticket to heaven. In contrast, according to easy-believism, only the judicial aspects of salvation (e.g., justification, adoption, and positional sanctification) are guaranteed for believers in this life; practical sanctification and growth in grace require a post-conversion act of dedication.

Sixth, Scripture teaches that Jesus is Lord of all, and the faith He demands involves unconditional surrender (Rom. 6:17-18; 10:9-10). In other words, Christ does not bestow eternal life on those whose hearts remain set against Him (James 4:6). Surrender to Jesus' lordship is not an addendum to the biblical terms of salvation; the summons to submission is at the heart of the gospel invitation throughout Scripture. In contrast, easy-believism teaches that submission to Christ's supreme authority is not germane to the saving transaction.

Seventh, Scripture teaches that those who truly believe will love Christ (1 Pet. 1:8-9; Rom. 8:28-30; 1 Cor. 16:22). They will therefore long to obey Him (John 14:15, 23). In contrast, easy-believism teaches that Christians may fall into a state of lifelong carnality.

Eighth, Scripture teaches that behavior is an important test of faith. Obedience is evidence that one's faith is real (1 John 2:3). On the other hand, the person who remains utterly unwilling to obey Christ does not evidence true faith (1 John 2:4). In contrast, easy-believism teaches that disobedience and prolonged sin are no reason to doubt the reality of one's faith.

Ninth, Scripture teaches that genuine believers may stumble and fall, but they will persevere in the faith (1 Cor. 1:8). Those who later turn completely away from the Lord show that they were never truly born again (1 John 2:19). In contrast, easy-believism teaches that a true believer may utterly forsake Christ and come to the point of not believing.

Most Christians recognize that these nine distinctives are not new or radical ideas. The preponderance of Bible-believing Christians over the centuries have held these to be basic tenets of orthodoxy. In fact, no major orthodox movement in the history of Christianity has ever taught that sinners can spurn the lordship of Christ yet lay claim to Him as Savior.

This issue is not a trivial one. In fact, how could any issue be more important? The gospel that is presented to unbelievers has eternal ramifications. If it is the true gospel, it can direct men and women into the everlasting kingdom. If it is a corrupted message, it can give unsaved people false hope while consigning them to eternal damnation. This is not merely a matter for theologians to discuss and debate and speculate about. This is an issue that every single pastor and lay person must understand in order that the gospel may be rightly proclaimed to all the nations."

Disclaimer: Regarding point # 9 of the article, John MacArthur's view of the perseverance of the saints(aka eternal security), I am not completely convinced of it at this moment. I am not 100% sure whether or not one can lose their salvation through going back to the world or unbelief. I do lean toward the Calvinistic view more than the other in that regard. I acknowledge there seem to be Scriptures which support both views. Either way I don't believe it affects my agreement with the other points in the article.

Thank you for this Oracio.

I have found this hymn fitting to this topic, at least in my mind.

O how well I remember
in the old-fashioned days,
When some old-fashioned people
had some old-fashioned ways;
In the old-fashioned meetings,
as they tarried there
In the old-fashioned manner,
how God answer'd their pray'r.

Chorus

'Twas an old-fashioned meeting
in an old-fashioned place,
Where some old-fashioned people
had some old-fashioned grace;
As an old-fashioned sinner
I began to pray,
And God heard me and saved me
in the old-fashioned way.

There was singing such singing
in those old fashioned days
There was power such power
in those old fashioned pray’rs
An old fashioned conviction
made the sinner afraid
and the Lord heard and saved him
in the old fashioned way

Well they say it is better
things are changed don’t you know
And the people in general
seem to think it is so
And they call me old fashioned
when I dare to say
That I like it far better
in the old fashioned way

If the Lord never changes,
as the fashions of men,
If He's always the same,
why, He is old-fashioned, then!
As an old-fashioned sinner
saved thru old-time grace,
O, I'm sure He will take me
to an old-fashioned place.

Chorus

'Twas an old-fashioned meeting
in an old-fashioned place,
Where some old-fashioned people
had some old-fashioned grace;
As an old-fashioned sinner
I began to pray,
And God heard me and saved me
in the old-fashioned way.

--Herbert Buffum

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FcCWFjVFqk&NR=1

Great hymn UntoBabes. The singing from the video is great too. I will try to listen to the whole testimony from that sister. Thanks for sharing.

Old_Joe,
Just because MacArthur uses the word "faith" instead of "trust" does not mean he denies the necessity of trusting Christ. You seem to imply that in speaking of saving faith one must always use the word "trust". But faith in Christ is the same as trust in Christ.

His "repentance" of holding the heresy of denying the eternal sonship of Christ was the most self-exalting thing I have read in a while.

Not sure what you meant there. Where does MacArthur deny the eternal Sonship of Christ in the article?

If you want to know about his denial of the two natures you can read here.

There have been some very good discussions on this topic in years past that would be well worth review. Key words such as 'the flesh' 'sin nature', etc. ought to bring them up. There are many members of this site past and present that would not share the 'two-nature' view, myself included.

Each will have to deal with the ramifications of this in due time.

Your dogmatic assertions are not helpful. Past discussions deal with this subject in depth and from multiple points of view. This thread on the flesh (sarx) is a good starting point.

https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?viewmode=flat&order=0&topic_id=4198&forum=36&post_id=&refresh=Go

This is a discussion from 2004 when I argued from the position of 'two natures'. I have since refined my understanding in a way that takes into account all of the related scriptures. This thread seeks to examine the question, 'why does a Christian still commit sins.'

https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?mode=viewtopic&topic_id=2081&forum=36&start=0&viewmode=flat&order=0

Philo believes salvation can be lost, and therefore that his salvation can be lost which therefore means what he has is not everlasting.

That is quite a judgment to make. Your immoderate comments have taken me off guard a bit. Philo is Ron Bailey and he is a dear brother in the Lord.

Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, [take heed] lest he also spare not thee. (Romans 11:17-19 KJV)

What is the clear teaching of these verses?

OJ,
I have not looked at all the links you provided only the last one so far. But just from your posts there are serious concerns I have about you.

You seem to imply that the two nature doctrine as well as eternal security are essential to one's salvation.

You call John MacArthur a heretic and lost for preaching repentance and the Lordship of Christ and holding to the view of one nature in a believer. And you call into question Ron Bailey's salvation simply because he does not hold to eternal security.

Seriously, statements and beliefs like that are what cause me to just want to give up trying to debate with you, since it seems you made up your mind a long time ago on these views you hold and will not reconsider them.

Regarding MacArthur's prior views on the nature of Christ's eternal position in the Trinity, I do not see him ever denying an essential Christian doctrine as much as you would like to think so.

In all honesty the one that seems to be denying essential Christian doctrine to me is you, in that you come against the necessity of preaching the call to repentance and Christ's Lordship along with faith in Him.

And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. (John 17:3 NKJV)

I will leave you and Ron figure out whether or not you two have a life that is everlasting or something else.

As I posted previously, this is the Lord's definition of eternal life.

And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. (John 17:3)

Are your comments in step with James':

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, [and] easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. (James 3:17, 18)

John 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

As you should know 'hath' here is ἔχει and is in the present active indicative. "He is running" is an example of this construction. It is not an unconditional perpetual reality. The same verb is used with the same construction a few chapters before:

The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? (John 4:11)

Here 'hast' is ἔχει and is in the present active indicative as well. Obviously our Lord was not deprived everlastingly of something to draw with, it was His present condition.

Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, [take heed] lest he also spare not thee. (Romans 11:17-19 KJV)

Here 'standest' is in the perfect imperative as sure as saying 'it is finished'. And yet we are still warned, Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, [take heed] lest he also spare not thee.