Lordship Salvation | Andrew Farley

Mark from Chicago called in to ask about John MacArthur’s recent statement about Beth Moore.
Mark also wanted feedback on the concept of “Lordship salvation.”
Here’s what I shared with Mark on this controversial issue.

Connect with Andrew here:

[reganoryan]

How liberating this is 🙏🏼 I actually got caught up listening to john MacArthur and doubting my faith terribly

[BasicGestalt]

AMEN! My eternal brother! Thank you, Andrew!

[thomascaulfieldder]

Salvation is not a prayer, we are saved by grace through faith in Christ for the glory of God

[toliveischrist]

I use to go to a Calvinist church for years. I would feel so bad after each service. I always felt the need to prove I was saved. I would scrutinize my Christian performance and often felt guilty. Then, I’d ask God to forgive me in fear like he would hold it against me if I didn’t confess every sin and then I’d worry about what I’d forgotten to confess. My relationship with Jesus became more about me than him. I was miserable and walked away. But Jesus in his kind and gentle way showed me that salvation is all about what he’s done what he’s freely given me. By his grace through faith, in him alone, I’m saved. It would have made such a wonderful difference in my life if I’d heard more about my secure identity in Christ and the true meaning of his grace. God have mercy on pastors who teach what is false.

[threehorsez]

THANK YOU. I had never heard "Lordship Salvation" explained this clearly and it had really confused me before. And I get it now, because without realizing it this had bothered me and made me wonder sometimes "had I enough when I asked Jesus to save me?" Praise God - the lights just came on. Thank you so much!

[rickmcmullen]

I graduated from the Master's Seminary and what Andrew just describes is not the lordship salvation that John MacArthur preaches. MacArthur preaches salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, apart from works. And when a person is genuinely saved, it will always manifest itself in a progressive realization that Jesus is Lord.

[thomascaulfieldder]

We can do nothing without grace our only hope is Jesus it might be easy but it is not cheap amen great video

[johngraham]

About a week ago, Waffen 45 Eric wrote in his post:
“The elect are not led to Christ by people like you, ” and he was referring to Andrew Farley. I posted this reply: “You are right Eric, the elect are not led to Christ by people like Andrew Farley, because Andrew only leads the lost sinner to Christ through faith, and not election. Faith to believe that whoever calls upon the name of The Lord will be saved.
But John MacArthur wrote in his article “Total Forgiveness and the Confession Of Sin.” on the Grace To You website:
“And that is because in the beginning, in eternity past, He chose us for salvation to be conformed to the image of His Son, and He will bring that to realization in eternity future so that all He predestined are called to salvation.”

[jesussaved]

I think that it’s possible that a person can say a prayer but not believe it in their heart.

[Truthaccordingtoscripture]

The no-Lordship view of salvation was never an accepted doctrine in the Church until about the turn of the 19th century. Spurgeon's response to such error was "I cannot conceive it possible for anyone to truly receive Christ as Savior and yet not to receive Him as Lord." He further stated that "It is not possible for us to accept Christ as our Savior unless he also becomes our King, for a very large part of salvation consists in our being saved from sin’s dominion over us, and the only way in which we can be delivered from the mastery of Satan is by becoming subject to the mastery of Christ....If it were possible for sin to be forgiven, and yet for the sinner to live just as he lived before, he would not really be saved". That Christ must be received as Lord in our salvation has always been the orthodox teaching of the Gospel throughout Her history. This relatively new and modern day gospel is not the Gospel of Scripture.

[douglaspendergraft]

Adhering to the "Saved by grace alone" or "Just believe" doctrine while throwing all the other verses out the window is a pretty gutsy move.

That would tell me that the apostle Paul was going around, preaching a gospel that goes beyond "faith alone". Paul said in Galatians 1:9 that everyone is accursed that preaches another gospel than the one he preached.

Taking only Acts 16:30-31 as the entirety of the bible would tell us that no repentance of any kind is needed for salvation.

Acts 16:30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

In addition, only the person asking what he needed to do to be saved would need to "believe". This infers that the rest of his household could be complete atheists, yet would be saved.

Are we having a contest to water down the Word of God until it has absolutely no effect?

If so, the entire population of earth should read ONLY Titus 3:5 and see that Jesus already saved us by His mercy and we don't have to do a single thing.

Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost

If we take this one verse literally, without reading any other in the bible, one could come to the conclusion that:

1) They don't even need to "Believe in Jesus" to be saved, because this verse doesn't say anything about belief.

2) They don't need to hear the Word

3) They don't need to read the Word

3) No relationship with God/Jesus/Holy Spirit is needed.

4) Hell is completely empty because everyone already got saved by His "mercy".

5) Sin as much as you want to, because repentance (to turn away from sin) wasn't specifically mentioned in this verse, either.


If this is the case, then ask yourself: Why is there even a judgment of man (Revelation 20:12-15)? Why is there a Gospel? And why is there even a Bible?

It's as if we one has come to the point of saying, "Sorry God, but I'm not going to obey Your Gospel because, after all, obeying is a work."

<End Sarcasm>


If one is going to take the "minimalist" doctrine to the nth degree, then you should end up with something similar to the above.


Take this approach and you will eventually find out that God is NOT playing around. He will not be mocked and ignored. In flaming fire, God will take vengeance on those that do not know Him and do not obey the Gospel of Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9).


The Word of God commands us to make our calling and election "sure", not "minimal" (2 Peter 1:10). It also instructs us to study the word to show ourselves approved (2 Timothy 2:15).


The best policy is to read the ENTIRE Word of God for yourself to find out what the TRUE DOCTRINE and TRUE GOSPEL really is and then OBEY that gospel. If you are genuinely seeking God on this topic, He will most definitely fill in the blanks on any questions you have. All you have to do is ask Him in sincerity.

When the disciples preached the Gospel, what did the hearers of that Gospel actually do?

1) They repented.
2) They got baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of their sins.
3) They received the Promise of the Father - The baptism of the Holy Ghost.

If a person truly BELIEVES the gospel, they will OBEY the gospel. In addition, once that individual experiences the grip of sin unravelling and being removed from their life and the POWER of the Holy Ghost living inside, they will NOT be ashamed of that gospel, even as Paul declared in Romans 1:16.

God provided the plan of salvation for all men, women and children when He was under no obligation to do so. This is the very demonstration of His grace and mercy.

Arguing against Lordship salvation is not the issue here. The real problem is that one can argue so hard against works that they take it over the edge and completely IGNORE and therefore REJECT the instructions given from the Gospel, stating that those are works as well. THIS IS DECEPTION OF THE HIGHEST ORDER.

Do yourself a HUGE favor. Don't take reckless chances with your salvation. OBEY the TRUE GOSPEL.

[clairegirouard]

Thank you Jesus for being my Lord and my saviour

[jonathanlim]

One of my favorite bible teachers Dr RT Kendall writes:
Quote

Some teach that you cannot claim to be a Christian until you prove it by your perseverance. If you turn out well, good; this shows you were truly born again. But if you don't turn out well, this shows you were not truly saved after all.
For years, the English Puritans had been my heroes. But that was before I examined them very carefully. These men had in common the belief that a person must be "prepared" for grace before he or she could be truly saved. Such preparation to me smacked of salvation by works.
This widespread teaching is called "lordship salvation." Sadly, those who teach this do not say it means affirming that Jesus is God, which (in my opinion) is what Paul actually means by lordship salvation. They say you cannot claim to have Jesus as your Savior until you first receive Him as Lord. Agreed.
But what does it mean to acknowledge Him as Lord? Does it mean you must obey all His commands before you can be sure you are saved? There are those who virtually put sanctification before salvation as proof you are really saved!
I do not accept this kind of teaching. That is precisely what I was set free from. If I am told I cannot be sure I am saved unless I am always manifesting holiness—good works—that is bondage. I would be looking inside myself day and night to see if I am still saved, checking my spiritual pulse every day, asking, "Am I in, or am I out?"

Puritan teaching encouraged endless and unfulfilled introspection. Whereas the teaching of salvation by true faith set people free, the Puritans raised the question "How do you know you have true faith?" And people were back to square one. The result was that virtually no one knew for sure that he or she had true faith. People were told to look for proofs of faith—loving God's Word; loving the Sabbath; showing "universal obedience, " as in keeping all of the Ten Commandments; loving God's ministers and turning away from every known sin. People were afraid they had not come up to the standard whereby one could say they had true faith by turning from every known sin. And the liberty that came with Reformation teaching turned into a new bondage.
The gospel is the Good News that by transferring my trust in good works to what Jesus did on the cross, I will go to heaven and not to hell. I call that Good News. But when I am told I have to add good works to my faith in order to know I have true faith, the "good news" becomes heavy news. Sad news. No joy. No assurance. That is the way I was brought up; it is not what I believe today.
Unquote
I believe that Dr Kendall is spot on with his criticism on lordship salvation.

[neofd]

Amazing! Thank you for giving clarity on the subject. I know that lordship salvation caused me to go through a dark patch in my Christian walk, as I was constantly living in fear and shame. Knowing the truth during lockdown has really set me free!!!

[JWCustomsINCPasadena]

the BEST explanation I've heard. "lordship camp - what do you want from me?"

[bloodboughtbigphilr]

Lordship Salvationists are modern day Pharisees. Absolutely right Brother Andrew. What they teach is garbage and it sure ain't the Gospel. It isn't faith alone in Christ alone that's proclaimed but faith plus turning from sin (wrong definition of repentance) with ongoing proof of faithfulness. It's all about performance and has bred legions of self-appointed fruit inspectors. Needs to be called out for what it is and a spot on response.
Blessings abundant to you and your ministry Brother.

[MatteoSimeone]

John 3:16 is all about salvation through faith by grace.
Ephesians 2:8 - same thing.
Romans 10 : confessing Jesus as Lord means to believe that He is the Son of God who rose from the dead.
The jailer asked "what shall I do to be saved?"
Paul said BELIEVE on the LORD JESUS and you will be saved.
It simply means to trust in Him.
Even the Lordship salvation adherents themselves don't obey Christ in "selling everything to the poor".
I agree with Andrew, the "Lordship salvation" is garbage - the same garbage that Paul said in Philippians 3 - it's a works-based salvation that is false. Lordship salvation is the righteousness of the law.
We are righteous by faith in Christ's work apart from our works.

[martinejohansen]

The holy spirit reveals the truth about all. So when we are born again the spirit is at work in us so we can have eyes to see and ears to hear.

[JWCustomsINCPasadena]

I think a lot of people have been talked out of their salvation - but only mentally - they still have it - and are left constantly searching for feelings of security, rather than living a life of faith and purpose. Crippled. But saved. And ineffective.

[michaeltrunzo]

Thank you Pastor Farley!
Another clear and simple preaching pastor is Dr. Cacuzza from Northland Bible Church, if you want to check out his recorded sermons. And don’t forget the young but wise beyond his years preacher, Onorato Diamante. He goes over the true gospel message of salvation verse by verse in such a clear and methodical way! You will learn so much!
It is amazing to me (and extremely sad), how the majority of the most famous evangelical pastors are Calvinists. How many of their church members and watchers are believing in works based salvation? 100’s of thousands, millions? We need to spread this true gospel message beginning with our family and friends, especially the Catholics and Calvinists. They need to put all of their faith in Jesus and none in themselves! Even 1% of faith in themselves will keep them from Heaven! All 100% goes to our Savior!!! All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags!! None are righteous, not one. We are dead in our sins without Jesus Christ. Not of works, lest any man should boast! Once we are saved, then we all should take up our crosses and serve our Lord out of pure love, honor and admiration for the Gift of Grace he has bestowed on us. Walk in the faith everyday!!