By johninnc
Tonight (September 10, 2024) marks the scheduled debate between the two leading candidates for the US presidency.
According to a recent Marist survey, respondents said the most important qualities in a presidential candidate are:
- 27% – honesty and trustworthiness
- 22% – strong leader
- 18% – reflects their stance on the issues
- 16% – shared values
- 12% – can bring about change
- 4% – experience
So, both candidates enter tonight’s debate with the putative goal of influencing prospective voters as to their possession of these (and other) qualities.
In the world of professing Christendom, there is an ongoing debate regarding eternal life. The debate can take all sorts of forms, twists and turns, but the common themes are:
- How is eternal life received?
- Is eternal life eternal?
- Can a person be assured of eternal life, and if so, on what basis?
Jesus has this to say:
John 5:24: Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
This statement from Jesus makes it explicitly clear that eternal life is received by grace through faith in Christ, that a person receives eternal life that can never be lost or forfeited from the first moment of belief, and that assurance of eternal life rests solely on God’s promise to the believer.
In opposition to Jesus are the purveyors of the false gospel of Lordship Salvation.
Lordship Salvation (LS) is the unsupportable and unbiblical belief that the PERFORMANCE of good works, the PROMISE of good works, or the EVIDENCE of good works MUST accompany faith in Christ in order to establish, or provide evidence, that such faith has resulted in eternal life.
Many professing “Christian leaders” contradict Jesus’ clear teaching with false LS gospel substitutes – or even failing to take a firm position against LS – that lead people away from Jesus. Following are a few examples:
Lordship salvation is not a salvation-by-works doctrine. Advocates of lordship salvation are careful to say that salvation is by grace alone, that believers are saved before their faith ever produces any good works, and that Christians can and do sin. However, true salvation will inevitably lead to a changed life. The saved will be dedicated to their Savior…
Faith itself is a gift of God (Ephesians 2:1-5,8), and real faith endures forever (Philippians 1:6)…
Faith must involve a personal commitment to Christ (2 Corinthians 5:15). It is more than being convinced of the truth of the gospel; it is a forsaking of this world and a following of the Master…
(My comment: Faith itself is NOT a gift of God, faith need not involve a commitment to Christ in order to result in eternal life, and faith is NOT more than being convinced of the truth of the gospel. None of the biblical references that they have provided, nor any other passages from the Bible, support their erroneous claims. Their false claims are trumped by John 5:24).
From: The Controversial Debate: Understanding Lordship Salvation and its Implications by Adam Phillips
Implications for Christian Life and Evangelism are significant. Accepting the Lordship Salvation doctrine can lead to a more intentional and devoted Christian life. Christians who are committed to the Lordship Salvation view prioritize obedience, discipleship, and evangelism. They believe that evangelism requires presenting Christ not just as Savior but also as Lord.
Overall, understanding the concept of Lordship Salvation is crucial in comprehending the theological debates within Christianity. While many may disagree, it’s essential to have a respectful dialogue on this contentious issue as we strive to live out our faith in Christ.
(My comment: LS doctrine contradicts the gospel of Jesus Christ, and therefore has no power to save anyone, much less to lead anyone to a more devoted Christian life. Any dialogue with someone teaching LS should be to show them from the Bible why it is false. John 5:24 would be a great starting point).
Salvation comes by surrendering to Christ’s lordship and believing in his finished work, whether or not you pray a prayer asking Jesus into your heart.
Neither the great Baptists of the past nor the Bible describes eternal security as a one-time ritual that produces a guarantee of salvation no matter how you live your life. They described it as the knowledge that if God had started a true work in you, he would complete it. And the way that you show your salvation is genuine is by persevering for the rest of your life.
Persevering in the faith is proof that you have the salvation you could never lose; failing to persevere shows that you never had it to begin with.
(My comment: Greear hews to the Southern Baptist Convention’s false gospel pretty closely, although he seems to be a situational Calvinist. Eternal security is a fact for someone who has eternal life. It is not based on a ritual, but on having believed in Jesus as Savior. One does not show eternal life by persevering for the rest of his life, nor anything else. Having to wait to see if you persevere would preclude the assurance of eternal life available to the believer set forth in John 5:24).
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Grab your popcorn and enjoy tonight’s presidential debate, if you are so inclined.
But, when it comes to the truth of John 5:24, there is no debate!
John 5:24 Promise 