”Lordship salvation” debates whether good works and repentance are necessary for salvation (=justification). Can Christ be our Savior without being our Lord (Ryrie)? Some insist there is no necessary connection between saving faith and works. In fact, to insist on good works as the evidence of salvation introduces obedience into the plan of salvation, compromising seriously, if not fatally, the freeness of the gospel offer.
Reformation battle cry is, “Faith alone justifies, but not the faith that is alone.” Faith must be more than intellectual assent to some facts. Yet complete commitment is not required for salvation, because genuine Christians can fall into sin. Saving faith includes knowledge of the gospel’s great historical facts, an assent to the truthfulness of them, and a trust in Christ who accomplished them. Repentance involves a change of mind that leads to a change in actions. Most see it as essential to saving faith.
Conclusions:
1. The lordship of Christ must be confessed.
2. This confession must be genuine.
3. Salvation is by faith (repentance is a part of faith).
4. Growing obedience belongs to sanctification, not justification.
5. Christians may backslide, but only for a time.
6. Complete submission to God’s will as necessary to be saved is unbiblical.
(The Gospel of John and the book of Acts oppose this.)
7. “Believe in Jesus, and be saved” is simplest invitation.