I recently heard a sermon by a proponent of Lordship Salvation. His name is not important because what he said applies to any proponent of that theology who speaks on the topic of eternal salvation. You have probably heard the same things I heard in this sermon, even if they were stated in different ways. In this case, the speaker mentioned his association with John MacArthur. His ministry appears to be popular, and his message is taught in many Evangelical churches and on many YouTube videos.
He stated that what he had to say has made, and will continue to make, many people angry. His point was that there are many (the majority of?) people in our churches who are not spiritually saved because they are not living righteously. Believing with your head is not enough. You must have good works. If you don’t have those works, you are not saved.
As a result, people who think they are Christians are often deceived. We must examine ourselves to determine whether we are saved, as Paul says in 2 Cor 13:5. This examination needs to take place constantly, and for as long as we live. Our hearts are deceitful. My heart can tell me I’m a believer, but I need to be continually looking at my works to try and make sure my heart is not pulling a fast one on me.
The reason such a message makes people angry is obvious. It claims that most people who think they’re saved aren’t because they’re not doing enough good works. People are offended by that. The speaker said that we are saved by grace, but it is only through the presence of good works that one’s salvation is confirmed.
The speaker also said that even though this is a hard message that offends people and makes them angry, it’s a message the Lord wants him to give. The speaker acknowledged that he is nothing more than a humble servant of the Lord who is being used by Him to get this message out to people who need to wake up from their spiritual deception. Examine yourselves!
I remember hearing years ago that MacArthur came to the same realization this speaker did. MacArthur wondered why 90% of the people in his church did not have a passion for the Lord, and that only 10% or so seemed to be interested in doing any work for Him. MacArthur’s conclusion was that the lack of works indicated that most of the people in his church (and other churches) were not saved. This led him to the theology of the Puritans and Lordship Salvation.
As I listened to this disciple of MacArthur, I wondered if he realized how arrogant that message is. Think about what he’s saying. The lives of the majority of people he was speaking to (90%?) showed that they were not children of God. Let’s say that there were 200 people listening to his sermon. When he stepped into the pulpit and looked out at the congregation, 180 of them were not living as righteously as he was. Of the twenty who did live righteously, some were new believers and were in the process of learning how they should live. Others were not able to devote their time to Bible study the way he did (although it should be mentioned that, unlike most of the people he was addressing, he earns his living by teaching the Bible).
So, when he looked at those 200 people, he was holier than around 195 of them. He had been given the awesome responsibility of pointing out to the masses that their lives did not measure up. He knew it would make them angry, but he was willing to do it. Of course, the not-so-subtle implication of all this was that, unlike them, his good works measured up. The Lord was using him, so when he examined himself by looking at his works, he liked what he saw. The vast majority failed when they took the test, but not him. They were fortunate to have in their midst this godly man who was willing to accept their anger. Also, fortunately for them, he would remain humble while doing so.
Of course, this is all nonsense. But doesn’t Lordship Salvation lead to such arrogance? How can I believe that others don’t have enough good works to show that they’re saved but I do–and not feel superior to them? How is it possible not to become self-righteous with such a message? The one who is deceived is the one giving that message while at the same time claiming to be a “humble servant of the people.”
That message reminds me of the attitude of the Pharisee who prayed with the tax-collector in the temple. The Pharisee looked around at the people and said, “God, I thank You that I am not like other men” (Luke 18:11). The Lord said that He gave this man as an example because there were those who “trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others” (Luke 18:9).
It is a popular sentiment, expressed in a popular theology. But it doesn’t spring from a humble heart. It springs from a heart that can be described in a completely different way.
