By Justin Edwards
Although the modern message and its purveyors condemn what is known as "Lordship Salvation", the Word of God is clear that one must strive to enter through the narrow gate to receive eternal life (Luke 13:24). We must not shy away from this truth, which is offensive to the unregenerate heart, for we are called to preach the unadulterated Gospel and trust that God will spiritually awaken those He has called according to His good pleasure (Ephesians 1:4-6). If you have not submitted to Christ as your Lord, then you cannot receive Him as your Savior. He is already your Lord whether you submit to Him or not, but the kindness of the Savior will shower you with His infinite grace and mercy if you do. Please don't hesitate to ask me any questions if you desire to learn more about this saving faith.
I've posted Tony's closing remarks below, but I highly encourage you to read the whole article.
Jesus Christ is Lord...Of Everyone
God the Father is sovereign. God the Son is sovereign. God the Holy Spirit is sovereign. God is sovereign. He is Lord of all!
No one makes Jesus Christ Lord. He is Lord of all creation--including believing and unbelieving human being alike. He reigns with absolute authority over all His creation (see John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:15-17). He did not simply create and then disengage and become disinterested. No. The Lord reigns (see 1 Chronicles 16:31; Psalm 93:1; 96:10; 97:1; 99:1). He has always reigned. He reigns, today. He will forever reign.
The issue is not the extent of Jesus Christ's lordship. The issue is one of submission to Christ's lordship. Therefore, as an evangelist, as a herald of Christ's glorious gospel, I should not call people to accept the lordship of Christ. I should, instead, call people to humble themselves (see 2 Chronicles 7:14; 12:6-7; James 4:8-10) in obedient submission to the lordship of Christ--sovereignty which is not contingent upon the creature's acceptance of the Creator's rule--His supreme and divine authority.
Yes, Christians must, as Scripture makes very clear, continue to call people to repent and believe the gospel (see Mark 1:15; Mark 6:12; Luke 5:32; 13:1-5; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:29-31; 20:21; Romans 2:4; 2 Corinthians 7:10); pleading with the lost to turn to Christ, by faith alone (Romans 1:17; 3:25, 28; 5:1-2; Galatians 2:16; 3:11; Ephesians 2:8-9), and receive the gift of eternal life that only He can give (see John 14:6; Acts 4:12). But we ought not, we must not leave the unbeliever with the impression that Jesus Christ is not Lord until they decide to make Him Lord.
"Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:9-11).
If God, by His grace and mercy, has caused you to be born again--extending to you the gifts of repentance and faith in the Jesus Christ, He is your Lord. But if you have not repented and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, if you even scoff at His gospel and deny His very existence, He is no less Lord--your Lord. Whether He saves you by His grace and mercy or justly punishes you for all eternity for your sins against Him, He is Lord--your Lord. The question is will He be your Savior, too. For the unbelievers who read this (and I know you're out there), I do hope and pray this will be the case--that you will come to know Jesus Christ as your Savior; because whether or not you accept this, He already is your Lord. He is Lord over all creation.
As a result of my study, from now on I will say something like this as I call the unsaved to repent and believe the gospel, as I plead with them to receive the free gift of eternal life given only by the Lord Jesus Christ:
"Jesus is your Lord, for He is Lord over all creation. You are in open and wanton rebellion against the King of kings and the Lord of lords, and you must repent. Turn to Christ by faith. Believe the gospel and live. Receive the gift of eternal life that only He can give. You will either be saved or judged by the same Lord who is Lord over all, including you, right now. Repent and believe the gospel while God has given you time."
I believe in doing so I will take yet one more step toward properly exalting Christ in my preaching. It is Him I proclaim (Colossians 1:28)!
