Salvation And Lordship

Q.   Re: Lordship.  You have said, “We’re saved because of what we believe not because of how we behave, so regardless of our behavior, once we’re His we’re always His.”  Will not what we believe by definition affect how we live?

A.  Yes it will.  But the manner in which it affects us is between us and the Lord. Our subsequent behavior is neither a condition of nor a proof of salvation, it’s a result of salvation.   As such it’s not for others to evaluate in deciding whether they think we’re saved or not.

In His parable of the sower and the seeds Jesus said that for some the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth can make them unfruitful (Matt. 13:22).  Since salvation is not a fruit bearing event, He was saying it’s possible for a believer to have an unfruitful life.

In John 15:5 He said we can only be fruitful by remaining in Him.  Apart from Him we can do nothing of value to the Kingdom.  That means even if we perform good works, unless they’re prompted by the Lord and done in His strength they don’t count.

And Paul said that when we stand before the Bema Seat judgment, some will have nothing to commend them.  For one reason or another all their works will be burned in the fire, but they themselves will still be saved (1 Cor. 3:10-15). According to recent surveys, as many as 90% of self proclaimed born-again believers in our generation may find themselves in this situation.