I understand where you are coming from NKV, and I agree that civility is of the utmost importance for several reasons. But, as you also noted, this issue is probably the most important of all . . . especially when we have the anathema of Gal. 1:8 over the group that is wrong! Let me offer a brief commentary on each of the verses you mentioned.
- 1 John 3:14, “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not [his] brother abideth in death.”
We should all praise God that this verse has nothing to do with our eternal salvation. If it did, none of us could know for sure that we are saved, because there are times when we don't always love the brethren. But secondly, how much should we love them? Just a little, or enough to die for them? Do we always feel that way? Do we have to always feel that way, or is it only occasionally? What of the person who has been stung by the church, and thus harbors bitterness for a time. Is he not saved? To make matters worse, Jesus said that if we don't forgive, our sins won't be forgiven. So is salvation based on our love for fellow Christians and our ability to forgive them?
This verse is dealing with another issue entirely. Note that John says we have passed "from death into life." It is here we assume that John is talking about salvation, but there is just no reason to get that from the passage. John had just been saying previous to this that a Christian does not sin, and when he does, it is not the new man within him sinning, but it is the expression of the old man. The question is, are you living in life or living in death? Are you walking in truth, as the apostles were, or are you walking in death, as the false teachers were? Next, note that John says that the one who does not love "abides" in death. He stays there. He lives there. He walks in it. This is not at all a reference to salvation, or the lack there of. It has to do with the Christian who is walking in error. In doing so, he will bring punishment, even unto death, to himself.
- “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:19)
This is probably the biggest problem verse to deal with, as you noted. In my Lordship days, this was my great proof-text. Without going into massive detail, I'll just ask you what "saved" means here. Is it referring to eschatological salvation? If it is, then why does Paul go on to say, "For with the heart
one believes unto righteousness." Suppose I believe unto righteous but do not confess unto salvation. Well, now I am righteous as Abraham was in Rom. 4:4. But am I not saved? Does the righteous man go to Hell?
This verse is dealing with deliverance from the judgment of God. Specifically, it is found in the unit of chapters nine to eleven, which deal with the fate of Israel. Paul is saying that if they do not repent, they will soon be destroyed. To be saved from destruction, they must do two things: they must confess Jesus as Lord (keep in mind, they had just crucified Him), and they must believe in their heart that God raised Him from the dead. Because believing, they would be righteous, but confessing they would delivered. That's why Paul goes on to say in verse 13 that "Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." The quote comes from a time when Israel was surrounded by Assyria. God said that if they called on Him, He would deliver them from destruction.
Therefore, this passage does NOT teach that the confession of Jesus Christ as Lord saves from Hell. It teaches that confession saves from judgment, and that is true for Christians today! But the passage also teaches that salvation from hell is by belief alone, for "with the heart one believes unto righteousness."
See, we know the demons and Satan believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that He has been raised from the dead. So, why are we saved and the demons not?
There are two possible answers here. The first, which I take, is that salvation is not offered to demons. Therefore, they can believe all they want, but they have been sealed in a state of perdition, just as the Christian has been sealed in a state of righteousness. But, it can also be argued that the demons have not believed on Christ for their salvation. This has nothing to do with their bowing before Him, but everything to do with their refusal to accept their need for salvation and His promise of it. In fact, it can be argued that the demons DO recognize that Jesus is the Lord, and they DO submit to Him. They have no other choice!
When someone truly believes that and decides to confess Christ as Lord, their salvation is awarded. Now, if we have claimed that Christ is our Lord and King, we now should follow our Lord's commands. “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15) We will spend the rest of our lives trying to follow our King's commands.
Let's deal with the verse, first, and then we'll look at the content of the argument. Is John 14:15 dealing with salvation? No. It is dealing squarely with fellowship with Christ. Show me anywhere in Scripture that says, "A man is justified by His love for Christ." No, what Jesus is teaching here is that if the disciples are to be true disciples, then they will love Jesus. And they will know they love Him because they will keep His commandments. If they don't keep the them, then it is obvious they don't truly love Him, and thus, they are not true disciples. But that is a long way from saying that they aren't saved! It just means that they are "abiding in death," and they will be disciplined for it.
Now, to obey the commandments of Christ is obviously to make Him Lord. So, confession of Christ as Lord, if sincere, is logically followed by the keeping of the commandments, as imperfect as that may be. So, then we see that a confession as Lord, if genuine, is an expression and proof of love. But does this lead to salvation? I would strongly disagree that it does. What you are actually saying here is that it is your commitment to Christ that saves you, rather than your belief. You are making an exchange. You are saying to God, "I'll give you my life in exchange for your righteousness." But that isn't faith! That isn't Grace! That's as works-based as things get.
What is the basis for salvation? Mere belief. Simple belief in the person and work of Christ, totally apart from any commitment of life or confession of Lordship. To say that salvation is predicated on either of these two things is to espouse a works-based doctrine, which Paul says is damnable.
The real question to ask is this: Is Jesus Christ my Lord and Master?
I would say that this is the real question for discipleship, and not the real question for salvation.
I have confessed Christ as Lord and believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead and that Jesus is Lord of all.
Let me ask you a very honest question: what exactly are you trusting to get you into heaven? Obviously, you are putting your faith in Christ, but what does that mean? Have you trusted Him alone TOTALLY APART FROM A COMMITMENT OF LIFE?!? Do you believe that mere trust, APART from a commitment, can save? If not, then you need to examine your justification. Do you believe that Jesus cannot save a man unless that man first gives Himself wholly to Christ? Is Jesus not capable of saving based on mere faith in His promise?
This is why the issue is so incredibly important. It is apparent to me that Lordship salvation reduces Jesus to a barterer or trader. He trades His righteousness for your commitment. Grace, on the other hand, is based on simple belief--nothing more, and nothing less.
"God saves by Grace or not at all" ~Rev. Hal Haller, Th.M. DTS
God bless
). Receiving Christ as Savior results in salvation. That is the key.
