The Perversion of God’s Gift of Eternal Life

How Legalistic Religion Perverts
God's Gift of Eternal Life

Exposing the Subtle Error of Lordship Salvation

A Rock of Offence Commentary

This material is part 2 of a two-part Bible study.
In certain situations, the study may be used
as a "stand alone" commentary in order to address
specific questions about the nature of Christ's
salvation. To access part 1 click on the
following link:

Looking At The Church In The
Rear-View Mirror: Examining The Past
To Understand The Problems Of Today

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"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, HOW SHALL HE NOT WITH HIM ALSO FREELY GIVE US ALL THINGS?" (Romans 8:31-32 KJV -- Emphasis Mine)

This article is an attempt to address some common, yet serious misconceptions in the church today about the way Christ's salvation is initially received. Major controversies continue to rage on the subject of "What is the Gospel?" The arguments and disagreements are so intense that some churches won't talk about the subject. Think about that! We find it shocking that many in the modern church have failed to embrace the plain literal teaching of Scripture that would settle this question once and for all. From the perspective of the New Testament, Jesus Christ provides His salvation through a spiritual principle known as "Redemption", which is established on the rules of a "blood covenant". Jesus calls it "The New Covenant in My blood. This New Covenant, is also called "the new and living way of Christ" (Read: Matt. 26:28, Mark 14:24, Luke 22:20, 1 Cor. 11:25, 2 Cor. 3:6, Heb. 8:6-13, Heb. 9:15, Heb. 10:19-23, Heb. 12:24). Redemption literally means, "To purchase or to buy back". In the criminal world, whenever someone is taken hostage or held captive, the perpetrator demands that someone, usually an immediate family member, pay "a ransom" to get their loved one returned. The "ransom" is often a large sum of money that literally "buys back or purchases" the life of the victim. In many cases, once the ransom is paid, the hostage is set free. Their freedom is never dependent upon worthiness, perceived merit or some promise to live a better life. THE HOSTAGE IS UNCONDITIONALLY SET FREE BECAUSE THE RANSOM WAS PAID IN FULL AND NOT BECAUSE THEY WERE SOMEHOW WORTHY OF THEIR RELEASE.

In a similar way, because of Adam's sin in the garden, Satan held the entire human race captive until the price for sin was paid. The price or ransom was unbelievably high. In this unique situation, it required that God spill His own blood if He wanted the human captives released. In other words, the ransom demanded Divine blood. This is a price that the human race could never pay on its own--in full or in part. Yet, Jesus Christ, who the apostle John revealed as "God in human flesh" (John 1:1-16), arrived on earth as "The Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). JESUS PAID THE ENTIRE BLOOD RANSOM SO THAT WE COULD BE SET FREE FROM SATAN’S CAPTIVITY. Because Jesus paid the full price for our Redemption, we can be restored to fellowship with God, where Adam originally dwelled, without any work or merit requirements. This unmerited and undeserved restoration is credited to Jesus Christ, who is called, “The last Adam” in 1 Corinthians 15:45 in the New Testament Scriptures. Simply understood, the “Last Adam” restored to the human race what the “First Adam” lost. This is why Paul’s epistles to the Church defines our salvation (or Redemption) as "God's gift of eternal life" (Romans 6:23 & Ephesians 2:8-9), which is a New Testament term repeated throughout this commentary. This incredible benefit is received by something called, "the free unmerited and undeserved Grace of God". Why is it free? Someone else paid the ransom price.

"Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: WHO HATH DELIVERED US FROM THE POWER OF DARKNESS, AND HATH TRANSLATED US INTO THE KINGDOM OF HIS DEAR SON (JESUS CHRIST): IN WHOM WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD, EVEN THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS: WHO IS THE IMAGE OF THE INVISIBLE GOD Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. AND HE IS THE HEAD OF THE BODY, THE CHURCH: WHO IS THE BEGINNING, THE FIRSTBORN FROM THE DEAD; THAT IN ALL THINGS HE MIGHT HAVE THE PREEMINENCE." (Colossians 1:12-18 KJV)

This is the "good news" of the Gospel of Christ. However, a serious problem exists. There is a major effort in the Christian Church to redefine our blood-bought redemption into a benefit that the believer must earn through religious service, good works and "sinless living". This effort is driven by the Godless condition of our culture. Certain Christian leaders with good intentions are taking the forbidden and illegal liberty of redefining the Gospel to force society into changing their behaviour if they want to obtain and keep God's salvation. Many of these leaders are good people who love Jesus and are seeking to reverse the destructive direction of our culture. Yet, their chosen methods, like the ones used by the Pharisess of Christ's day--are dangerously misguided. The apostle Peter, one of the original Disciples of Christ, warns that these distorted doctrines are actually destructive heresies that "deny the Lord who bought (redeemed) us." The apostle Paul, who wrote nearly half of the New Testament Scriptures, condemns these efforts as "a perversion of the Gospel" (Galatians 1:6-8). He warns that these teachings, no matter how well intended, DOES NOT ORIGINATE WITH GOD, but comes from our enemy and carries a curse. Despite these warnings, influential churches, denominations and movements have embraced various expressions of legalism, mainly because it is recorded in the Old Testament part of our Bible -- and is taught in certain areas of "Historic Christianity". It is dominant in Roman Catholic, Protestant and certain Holiness sectors of the institutional church.

Popular preachers and critics attack the "free Grace" aspect of Christ's redemption because it seems to give Christians a "license to sin", yet allows them to keep their salvation. This characteristic of Christ’s Gospel secretly angers many religious leaders in the Church. To combat the problem, they take the forbidden liberty of designing a man-made counterfeit theology. Another description of this practice is redefining Salvation principles through allegorizing Scripture and distorting Biblical context. It holds the Christian believer's salvation hostage, or makes eternal life invalid until they become "qualified" or worthy enough. This "worthiness" is obtained through some moral commitment to a code of ethics, good works, Christian service and holy living--to receive what the New Testament calls "God's Gift". As we said before, expressions of this theology are dominant throughout the church and crosses nearly all denominational lines. It was a major influence during both the Protestant Reformation and "The Great Awakening" in early America. Certain theologians generally call this influence "Legalism", which travels under countless different expressions that operate "under the radar". However, the specific type of Legalism we discuss in this commentary is especially destructive and is known by some as, "Lordship Salvation". We explain why this distorted, yet popular teaching should not be confused with the act of "confessing the Lord Jesus Christ" from Romans 10:9-10 in order to obtain salvation. We will also explain why the reader SHOULD NOT MAKE THE MISTAKE OF THINKING THAT WE ARE LAUNCHING SOME KIND OF VEILED ATTACK ON CHRIST'S POSITION AS LORD.

Click on the link below for additional
information about this confusing topic.

The Prime Directive of the
Gospel of Christ

Important Note
On the Rock of Offence website, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is presented in two parts or aspects. FIRST, we share the "good news" about the great salvation of Jesus Christ. SECOND, we attempt to expose the countless traps and counterfeit teachings that come from well-intentioned overly religious church members and their leaders. The reason we provide the second area of information is to help new believers avoid becoming a victim of these common spiritual traps that can send them astray in their faith for the rest of their lives. We must remember that the most lethal forms of false teaching are those that appear to be closest to the fundamental truths of the Bible. They work on the same principle as counterfeit money. Their success comes from the common practice of abusing the context of the Bible, which most church members are programmed to ignore. Paul warned his disciple Timothy to "rightly (or correctly) divide the Word of Truth", which was a command to pay close attention to the context of the Scriptures (2 Timothy 2:15). Jesus Christ and the early first century church practiced both these aspects of preaching the Gospel. However, modern-day evangelism finds the second part (exposing counterfeit doctrine) too divisive and generally avoids this vital area of "contending for the faith". All of the false and misleading doctrine that operates in the Church tends to have one thing in common. They replace "Justification by Faith in Christ"(Romans 3:24-26), a core principle of the authentic Gospel, with what "sounds like" a fundamental Bible teaching that provides a "conditional" salvation based on keeping Old Testament Law, religious performance and holy living. This is common characteristic of the "theology of Legalism". It was the doctrine that nearly destroyed the Galatian Church. For this reason, some theologians refer to it as “the Galatian error”. There's nothing wrong with doing good works, Christian service and desiring to live in holiness, since the Bible tells us to seek after these things. However, making these "good things" a requirement to obtain and keep Christ's Salvation, which God says is His "gift" to us (Romans 6:23 and Ephesians 2:8-9), IS FORBIDDEN BY THE NEW TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES and carries many unintended consequences (Galatians 3:10-12, Romans 3:20 and Galatians 5:4). Due to its toxic nature, we repeatedly teach (to the point of being redundant) about this popular and easily found form of theology. For these reasons, we offer a link to a commentary that gives more detailed information about this deceptive "bait and switch" practice commonly used in the Church, BUT DOES NOT COME FROM GOD.

Justification By Faith: A Miracle
of the New Birth

Many of these things are not taught from a pulpit on Sunday morning. They are emotional and controversial issues. For the casual reader, our commentary may appear to stereotype all churches and their leadership in a negative light. This is not our goal or intention. To keep the size of this teaching from spiraling out of control, we tend to focus on the issues and warnings given by both Christ and the apostles in the New Testament. We do not oppose Godly leaders, church groups, congregations and movements that follow the liberating principles of Christ’s New Covenant in the Bible. We do not want to paint every situation with a wide negative brush. However, Jesus warned, as we get closer to the end of the age, that there would be MANY false and misleading expressions of Christianity along with deceptive leaders that rule over them. That means the subject of this teaching does not involve some kind of a “fringe” insignificant threat -- it is a MAINSTREAM problem that ensnares literally millions of unsuspecting believers.

In this commentary, we also speak about some of the rather vicious and violent differences that exist between the religion of Judaism and Christ's New Covenant Church. These differences are taken directly from the Scriptures to illustrate some of the emotional difficulties facing the churches, which were established by the apostle Paul. We also expose the disguised and organized opposition against the Gospel of Christ that existed both in the first century AND NOW. In these discussions, it may appear to the casual reader that we are "anti-semitic" and oppose the Jewish people. If this is the reader's perception, it is a false one. We do not oppose, but support the rebirth of the nation of Israel in 1948 as a fulfillment of Bible prophecy for the end times and completely agree with its right to live in the land that God promised to give them. This does not necessarily mean that we agree with all decisions or actions of their government.

The topic of “Legalism” can be very complex and confusing. By its very nature, it produces irreconcilable differences and vicious disagreements, like the ones that both our Lord Jesus and the apostle Paul faced in the first century. To say that the modern-day Christian believer should ignore these things because they are “divisive” is doing a disservice to the plain teaching of Scripture. The subject is commonly “repackaged” in order to defend cherished, yet flawed denominational teachings that are hundreds of years old. The dangers of Christian Legalism are routinely distorted in order to defend spiritual leaders who attempt to use their authority in a way that Jesus said was wrong. Abusive churches and even religious cults commonly operate in this area. We are now in the last days before Christ’s return. The proliferation of various forms of Legalism and how it commonly disguises itself as "fundamental Bible teaching" is now occurring at a frightening pace. If you don’t properly understand the eternal consequences and how crucially important it is today -- it’s almost guaranteed that you will be a victim.

God’s gift of salvation is initially and simply obtained
by believing in and calling upon a name....

NOR IS THERE SALVATION IN ANY OTHER, FOR THERE IS NO OTHER NAME (THE NAME OF JESUS) UNDER HEAVEN GIVEN AMONG MEN BY WHICH WE MUST BE SAVED.” (Acts 4:12 NKJV -- Emphasis Mine)

"But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that 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. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. FOR WHOEVER CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED.” (Romans 10:8-13 NKJV)

"FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, BECAUSE HE HAS NOT BELIEVED IN THE NAME OF THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD." (John 3:16-18 NKJV -- Emphasis Mine)

"And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. THESE THINGS I HAVE WRITTEN TO YOU WHO BELIEVE IN THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD, THAT YOU MIGHT KNOW THAT YOU HAVE ETERNAL LIFE, AND THAT YOU MAY CONTINUE TO BELIEVE IN THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD." (1 John 5:11-13 NKJV -- Emphasis Mine)

“Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. BUT TO HIM WHO DOES NOT WORK BUT BELIEVES ON HIM WHO JUSTIFIES THE UNGODLY, HIS FAITH IS ACCOUNTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS, just as David also describes the blessedness of the man TO WHOM GOD IMPUTES RIGHTEOUSNESS APART FROM WORKS: "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; BLESSED IS THE MAN TO WHOM THE LORD SHALL NOT IMPUTE SIN." (Romans 4:4-8)

"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him AND GIVEN HIM THE NAME WHICH IS ABOVE EVERY NAME, THAT AT THE NAME OF JESUS EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, AND THAT EVERY TONGUE SHOULD CONFESS THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD,TO THE GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER." (Phillipians 2:5-11 NKJV -- Emphasis Mine)

In Acts chapter 3 verses 1 through 16, Peter performs a notable miracle. He heals a lame man at "the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful". Afterwards, he explained to the excited Jewish crowd how this miracle happened.

"Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon’s, greatly amazed. So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, AS THOUGH BY OUR OWN POWER OR GODLINESS WE HAD MADE THIS MAN WALK? The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses. AND HIS NAME, THROUGH FAITH IN HIS NAME, HAS MADE THIS MAN STRONG, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all." (Acts 3:11-16 NKJV -- Emphasis Mine)

Notice that Peter did not require merit, holy living or some commitment to keep a religious code of ethics from this lame man before he was healed. Also notice that Peter told the crowd that this healing did not occur because of some "Godliness" that he possessed. Peter said that the man was made whole ONLY THROUGH FAITH IN THE NAME OF JESUS AND NOT BY SPIRITUAL OR RELIGIOUS MERIT. The way this miracle occurred is similar to how Christian believers are made whole (cleansed/freely justified) from sin when they accept God's gift of eternal life. God's gift is activated "THROUGH FAITH IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS--AND ONLY THROUGH FAITH IN HIS NAME". According to Romans chapter 10 verse 13, our Heavenly Father specifically designed His gift of eternal life so that "WHOSOEVER CALLS UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED".

Only two simple requirements need to be met to obtain eternal life, according to the Apostle Paul’s writings that reveal Christ’s New Covenant in Romans 10:8-13 and Romans 4:4-8. The first requirement is confessing with your mouth (or calling upon) the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. This is a confession-based faith (Paul called it “the word of faith”) for the Church that was different than the one James preached to his "Jewish Law oriented” disciples, which required certain validating works. Unlike Judaistic faith (recorded in the Bible), Christ’s New Covenant faith to obtain salvation (also recorded in the Bible) does not require works or merit, as outlined in Romans 4:4-8. The second requirement is believing in one’s heart, that God raised Jesus Christ from the dead.

Dr. Harry Ironsides addresses these truths in one of his sermons given at Moody Memorial Church in Chicago in the first half of the 20th century....

“The Gospel is God's wonderful story of His beloved Son. It is a message of grace to be received in faith. It is not a code of laws to be obeyed or good advice to be followed. It is not a system of ritual observances or a call to submit to certain ordinances. It does not set forth the claims of any human church organization, however venerable, nor does it exhort men to seek after experiences, however remarkable, though a blessed experience follows its acceptance. IT SIMPLY SETS FORTH CHRIST CRUCIFIED AND RISEN AS THE SAVIOR OF ALL WHO BELIEVE IN HIM.” (Emphasis Mine)

God designed the Gospel of Christ so that a young child can satisfy the simple faith requirements. Scripture defines this as “receiving God’s free gift of eternal life” or “being saved through God’s unmerited and undeserved favor”, also known as Grace. Paul wrote in this epistle to Titus, "...not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us" (Titus 3:5-7) However, there is a very deceptive and difficult to discern counterfeit that’s been in the church for hundreds of years. This counterfeit twists and distorts the meaning of Romans 10:8-13, transforming it into what Saint Paul calls “a perverted gospel”, which is a false or counterfeit salvation theology that quietly modifies “God’s free gift” (Romans 3:23, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 5:17-19) -- BY ADDING A COMMITMENT TO OBEY A MORAL CODE (PRESENTED AS AN ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT) TO ENTER CHRIST'S LORDSHIP AUTHORITY AND OBTAIN HIS SALVATION.

The “moral code” requirement is commonly tied to the Ten Commandments along with other rules and principles found within the Law of the Old Testament. In other words, you are required to make a commitment to keep the moral code of the Law, which sounds like a totally reasonable thing to do, UNTIL YOU MAKE THE CONSIDERABLE EFFORT TO LOOK BENEATH THE SURFACE. The name of this doctrine is “Lordship Salvation”. Its supporters claim that anyone desiring to receive God’s salvation (or eternal life) MUST FIRST MAKE A COMMITMENT TO THIS MORAL CODE (some call it a moral transformation) BEFORE GOD WILL ALLOW THEM TO OBTAIN OR KEEP ETERNAL LIFE (SALVATION). In other words, you either make this commitment (and the character changes it requires) beforehand OR GOD WILL DISQUALIFY YOU FROM OBTAINING HIS "GIFT" OF SALVATION. Anyone that honestly examines this popular belief can see that requiring a “moral transformation” before being allowed to obtain Eternal Life makes the term “God’s gift” and the word “Grace” (as God’s unmerited favor), meaningless and nonsensical. Even worse, it subtly makes God look like a liar while creating the illusion that the supporters of this doctrine are teaching the true intentions of Scripture. Keep in mind that all forms of false Christian theology, including the teachings of the popular religious cults that show up at our doorstep looking for converts, MUST MASQUERADE AS SOLID FUNDAMENTAL BIBLE TEACHING IN ORDER TO BE ACCEPTED BY THE RELIGIOUSLY MINDED PUBLIC. Most of us are led to believe that these aberrant doctrines only occur in the religious cults. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Some of these teachings, which violate the context of the Bible, are bedrock fundamental doctrines, which have existed in sectors of the Christian Church for hundreds of years.

The problem is the deliberate way they are titled and written by their earthly seminary-trained scholars. They are specifically designed in such a way to discourage discernment or examination. It makes any of these efforts to “search the Scriptures to see if the teaching is correct” (as was the practice of the Berean Christians recorded in the New Testament) appear as an attempt to discredit or question the authority of Jesus Christ as Lord. This is one of the strategies that the error of Lordship Salvation hides behind. The very title of this misleading doctrine tends to use a subtle form of intimidation designed to keep Berean-style truth seekers away. After all, what authentic Christian believer would want to question the authority of Christ as Lord? One reason might be....what someone is calling “Christ’s Gospel and Lordship authority”--is actually a skillfully designed man-made religious counterfeit that redefines Scripture. Remember that spiritual counterfeits, like counterfeit money, appear, on the surface, to look like the real thing. We must also keep in mind that the intentions behind these efforts are entirely sincere and noble. I’ve never met any of these ministers that were out to deliberately deceive people. They sincerely believe their teaching is the authentic doctrine of Christ and they want you to submit to their teaching for your own spiritual well-being. Many of them are deeply committed to what they believe are the true teachings of the Bible and will passionately defend their position. Don’t underestimate this passion, even if it’s misguided.

In this commentary, no one is saying that a Christian should live contrary to the moral standards found in the Ten Commandments of Old Testament Law. One purpose of the Law (specifically the Ten Commandments) is to warn about the practices and lifestyles that God considers “sin” so that we can avoid them. The apostle Paul warns the Church:

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, EVEN SO WE ALSO SHOULD WALK IN NEWNESS OF LIFE." (Romans 6:1-4)

The problem with all forms of Christian Legalism, especially the error of Lordship Salvation, is making either the Old Testament Law, a moral code of ethics, living a sinless holy life, achieving some state of religious “worthiness”, or some kind of moral transformation -- a prerequisite for obtaining (and keeping) God’s gift of eternal life WHEN NO SUCH PREREQUISITE EXISTS IN THE GOSPEL. The new convert, IN THEIR CURRENT STATE OF SINFULNESS AND UNWORTHINESS, IS TO BELIEVE AND RECEIVE ETERNAL LIFE FREELY OFFERED BY THE GOSPEL--FIRST. ONLY AFTER THEY ARE SAVED AND HAVE GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT ACTIVE IN THEIR LIFE DO THEY HAVE ANY HOPE OF SUCCESSFULLY AVOIDING SIN AND LIVING A CHRIST-CENTERED LIFE. However, it should also be understood that a believer’s success (or lack thereof) at avoiding all sin, which the Bible warns is actually an impossible state of existence while living on earth, DOES NOT INVALIDATE GOD'S GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED. Otherwise, eternal life would not qualify as “a gift” that God gives to "whosoever" asks, without merit requirements. God never gives you a gift and then takes it away when you fail to perform. OTHERWISE, HIS GIFT IS NOT REALLY A GIFT AT ALL. Carefully read the following Scriptures EVEN IF YOU KNOW THEM.

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13 KJV)

"For the wages of sin is death, BUT THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD." (Romans 6:23)

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; IT (SALVATION) IS THE GIFT OF GOD, not of works, lest anyone should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)

IMPORTANT: PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION
TO THE NEXT SCRIPTURE.

"FOR GOD'S GIFTS AND HIS CALL ARE IRREVOCABLE. [He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call.]" (Romans 11:29 Amplified Bible)

"....being confident of this very thing, that HE WHO BEGUN A GOOD WORK IN YOU WILL COMPLETE IT UNTIL THE DAY OF JESUS CHRIST." (Phillipians 1:6 -- Emphasis Mine)

"...BEING JUSTIFIED FREELY BY HIS GRACE THROUGH THE REDEMPTION THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS, whom God set forth as a propitiation BY HIS BLOOD, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. (Romans 3:24-26 -- Emphasis Mine)

“Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. BUT TO HIM WHO DOES NOT WORK BUT BELIEVES ON HIM WHO JUSTIFIES THE UNGODLY, HIS FAITH IS ACCOUNTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS, just as David also describes the blessedness of the man TO WHOM GOD IMPUTES RIGHTEOUSNESS APART FROM WORKS: "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; BLESSED IS THE MAN TO WHOM THE LORD SHALL NOT IMPUTE SIN." (Romans 4:4-8)

The common flaw in the faith of those that practice the popular theology of Legalism is that THEY ATTEMPT TO MAKE CHRIST’S SALVATION UNOBTAINABLE OR “QUESTIONABLE” UNLESS YOU COMMIT YOURSELF TO OBEY THEIR OLD TESTAMENT THEOLOGY OF THE LAW OR SOME KIND OF MORAL RELIGIOUS CODE that may vary from congregation to congregation. This kind of error is found in countless expressions throughout the Christian Church. Even before the cross, Jesus Christ condemned those who practiced this kind of theology when He said:

"But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! FOR YOU SHUT UP THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN AGAINST MEN; for you neither go in yourselves, NOR DO YOU ALLOW THOSE WHOARE ENTERING TO GO IN." (Matthew 23:13 NKJV -- Emphasis Mine)

In this passage, Jesus was confronting the false theology of the Pharisees, who established certain good-sounding religious rules and principles designed to protect the people from violating God's Law. But, they actually prevented them from entering the Kingdom of Heaven. THIS IS IMPORTANT. What we call “the theology of Legalism” (with all its countless expressions) is a modern modified and skillfully designed version of this “Pharisaical theology” that Jesus our Lord and both Peter and Paul opposed. Yet, this same influence continues to dominate most of the Christian Church today.

Following Christ’s crucifixion, burial, resurrection, ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost--the New Covenant goes into effect and tells us about some important changes.

"FOR AS MANY AS ARE OF THE WORKS OF THE LAW ARE UNDER THE CURSE; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” BUT THAT NO ONE IS JUSTIFIED BY THE LAW IN THE SIGHT OF GOD IS EVIDENT, for “the just shall live by faith.” YET THE LAW IS NOT OF FAITH..." (Galatians 3:10-12 -- Emphasis Mine)

"Therefore BY THE DEEDS OF THE LAW NO FLESH WILL BE JUSTIFIED IN HIS SIGHT". (Romans 3:20 -- Emphasis Mine)

"You have become estranged (separated) from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; YOU HAVE FALLEN FROM GRACE." (Galatians 5:4 -- Emphasis Mine)

"For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: FOR IF RIGHTEOUSNESS COME BY THE LAW, THEN CHRIST IS DEAD IN VAIN (THE WORD "VAIN" MEANS THAT CHRIST'S DEATH BECOMES MEANINGLESS)." (Galatians 2:19-21 NKJV Emphasis Mine)

A Different Twist to an Old Heresy That
Robs Us of Our Confidence in Christ

Here's an example of the problem. Recently, I heard a pastor urge his audience to get saved by receiving Christ before He returns. He warned that time was quickly running out. He correctly quoted Romans 10:9 as his Scriptural authority, which says “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead you will be saved.” HOWEVER, things went quickly off-track as this pastor proceeded to ADD something to this Scripture. He warned those who responded that it wasn’t enough to just obey these simple requirements. He warned that the Holy Spirit was looking at their heart and if He didn’t see a willingness and commitment to obey Christ’s commands as Lord, THEN HE WOULDN'T SAVE THEM--EVEN IF THEY OBEYED THE INSTRUCTIONS IN ROMANS 10:9. He went on to caution those who wrongly believed that “confessing the Lord Jesus and believing in their heart that God raised Him from the dead” was all that was needed to be saved. He warned that many Christians that just literally believe this Scripture and act upon its simple instructions of belief and confession are guilty of “easy believism”, WHICH DOES NOT PROVIDE TRUE SALVATION. I was shocked to hear this kind of spiritual arrogance come from a "so-called" minister of the Gospel.

Unfortunately, this pastor has identified himself as someone who practices the false theology of legalism in the Church. It’s no wonder these kind of good-sounding teachings angered Paul, Peter and Jesus our Lord. Rightly did Paul warn the Church by saying:

"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; AND AVOID THEM. FOR THEY THAT ARE SUCH SERVE NOT OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, but their own belly; AND BY GOOD WORDS AND FAIR SPEECHES DECEIVE THE HEARTS OF THE SIMPLE (SPIRITUALLY INEXPERIENCED)." (Romans 16:18 -- Emphasis Mine)

When we expose this popular theology as “false”, we are not “throwing out” the need to obey Jesus Christ as our Lord. What this pastor is doing is “adding” a requirement that he wants to see included in Romans 10:9--THAT GOD DID NOT ORIGINALLY PUT THERE FOR A REASON. In other words, he thinks God accidently left something important out and he’s taking the liberty of adding it back in. All those who practice the error of legalism do the same thing. They take the liberty of redefining God’s Word according to the way they think it should be. However, what this pastor fails to realize is that his well-intentioned act IS SPIRITUALLY ILLEGAL AND CARRIES A CURSE ACCORDING TO SAINT PAUL. Why? He has turned away from the authentic Gospel of Christ and is unknowingly preaching “a different gospel” THAT SOUNDS LIKE THE REAL ONE. He withholds the assurance of a person’s salvation until they submit to his out-of-context doctrine (that he equates with God’s Word). It guarantees that these unfortunate people will always struggle with tormenting fear and doubt about their salvation for the rest of their life. Why? Once again, it’s impossible to know if your commitment to obey Christ is enough to secure your salvation. It may not be. Maybe the Holy Spirit looked into your heart and didn’t see the level of commitment He was looking for--AND DECIDED NOT TO SAVE YOU, BUT DIDN’T TELL YOU. Imagine living under this kind tormenting uncertainty for the rest of your life.

Redefining Scripture in order to make this commitment a requirement to initially receive salvation is a serious perversion of the Gospel BECAUSE IT DESTROYS OUR CONFIDENCE AND FAITH IN CHRIST’S FINISHED WORK, WHICH IS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED BY GOD TO GIVE US CONFIDENCE AND FAITH. IMPORTANT: GOD DESIGNED THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST SO WE COULD KNOW THAT WE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE. If you don't know that you're saved and doubt your "worthiness" to receive eternal life, it's probably because you have placed your faith in one of the many expressions of "a different gospel". This is why the apostle Paul warned that this kind of teaching, NO MATTER HOW WELL-INTENTIONED, DOES NOT COME FROM GOD--even though it sounds like it originates from Scripture.

"I MARVEL THAT YOU ARE TURNING AWAY SO SOON FROM HIM WHO CALLED YOU IN THE GRACE OF CHRIST, TO A DIFFERENT GOSPEL, which is not another; BUT HERE ARE SOME WHO TROUBLE YOU AND WANT TO PERVERT THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. BUT EVEN IF WE, OR AN ANGEL FROM HEAVEN, PREACH ANY OTHER GOSPEL TO YOU THAN WHAT WE HAVE PREACHED TO YOU, LET HIM BE ACCURSED." (Galatians 1:6-8 NKJV -- Emphasis Mine)

The apostle John understood that confidence and assurance was one of the characteristics of the true Gospel when he said:

"And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. THESE THINGS I HAVE WRITTEN TO YOU WHO BELIEVE IN THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD, THAT YOU MIGHT KNOW THAT YOU HAVE ETERNAL LIFE, AND THAT YOU MAY CONTINUE TO BELIEVE IN THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD." (1 John 5:11-13 NKJV -- Emphasis Mine)

Notice that John reveals something important about our initial act of receiving God's gift of eternal life--THAT "BELIEVING ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD (JESUS)" IS WHAT ALLOWS US TO OBTAIN ETERNAL LIFE--NOT MAKING A COMMITMENT TO KEEP SOME KIND OF MORAL OR ETHICAL LAW OR TRYING TO LIVE A HOLY AND COMMITTED LIFE (AS GOOD AS THESE THINGS ARE).

Learning to follow and obey the Lord Jesus Christ is a life-long process called “Sanctification” and begins AFTER WE ARE SAVED (OR AFTER WE POSSESS ETERNAL LIFE)--NOT BEFORE. Romans 10:9 is the initial doorway we walk through to obtain God’s gift of eternal life, which FREELY JUSTIFIES US (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 6:23 and Romans 3:24-26). Romans 10:9 is about receiving God’s unmerited gift that is freely given, WHICH GETS US INSIDE THE DOORWAY OF HEAVEN. ONCE GOD’S GOAL OF SECURING OUR PLACE IN HEAVEN IS REALIZED, ONLY THEN DOES THE HOLY SPIRIT BEGIN HIS SANCTIFYING WORK OF CONFORMING US TO CHRIST’S WILL AND PURPOSES.

"For whom He foreknew, He also predestined TO BE CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF HIS SON, THAT HE MIGHT BE THE FIRSTBORN AMONG MANY BRETHREN." (Romans 8:29 NKJV -- Emphasis Mine)

"THEN JESUS SAID TO THEM AGAIN, "MOST ASSUREDLY, I SAY TO YOU, I AM THE DOOR OF THE SHEEP. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I AM THE DOOR. IF ANYONE ENTERS BY ME, HE WILL BE SAVED, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:7-10 NKJV -- Emphasis Mine)

"Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH ME." (John 14:6 NKJV -- Emphasis Mine)

The Theology of Legalism is a Dangerous
Form of Counterfiet Christianity

Jesus warned that many hard-to-identify "counterfeits" would greatly increase in number as the end of the age draws near. He also said that we need to constantly question their legitimacy, as was the practice of the believers in Ephesus (Revelations 2:2). This was the practice of the Berean Christians who “Searched the Scriptures” to see if the teachings of the apostle Paul were true (Acts 17:10-12). Now, more than ever we cannot afford to just believe someone because they have impressive seminary credentials, stand behind a pulpit or was popular and highly recognized within what some call “Historic Christianity”. Currently, the modern church is over-run with those that falsely claim to represent the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word. Some of these churches and denominations operate within the modern day Christian unity, church growth and Ecumenical movements. Preaching the Gospel of Christ always carries two prime responsibilities. FIRST, we seek to tell others about the great salvation Jesus provided for us through His crucifixion. SECOND, we seek to expose popular spiritual counterfeits so that new believers can avoid the enemy's traps. Modern evangelism embraces the first responsibility, yet totally ignores the second one because it causes division, interferes with their church-growth agenda, and offends their audience. Jesus and the early apostles practiced both.

We repeatedly warn (to the point of being redundant) that the “theology of Legalism” is one of the most convincing spiritual counterfeits found within the Christian Church. All of the popular false “Bible-based cults” use various forms of legalism to ensnare their followers. Yet, as we are beginning to see, this influence travels under many different names and expressions, which are meant to hide its true identity. It involves the illegal practice of mixing Christ’s Gospel of Grace (recorded in the Bible) with the Old Testament tenants of The Law (also recorded in the Bible). Some ask, “Is there an easy way to identify this influence?” If it were easy, then these dangerous teachings wouldn’t be referred to as “counterfeits” and everyone would be able to spot the problems and avoid the trap. If it were easy, then Jesus our Lord and both Peter and Paul wasted their time trying to warn us about the danger. However, this kind of error is always presented as good fundamental Bible teaching. It is actually modified Bible teaching that removes Scripture from the context where God placed it and uses it in a way that serves the religious agenda of a denomination, church, religious movement or preacher. One Christian believer in a hundred can discern this problem, which is why both Paul and Peter condemned the practice. They write, using very harsh and offensive terms that most preachers avoid using today. There are many popular and well-meaning Christian preachers and authors (both historical and modern day) that embrace one of the many expressions of legalism, yet sincerely believe they are teaching “The uncompromising Word of God”. As we will see, this is especially true in Catholicism, the Protestant Reformation and years later during the revival known as, “The Great Awakening”.

Road Signs to the Truth
Of the Gospel of Christ

There is something I refer to as “Scriptural road signs” that are meant to keep us on the straight path of truth. These road signs are Scriptures that contain plain literal language that cannot be misinterpreted unless you are trying to defend some unbiblical tradition or false religious agenda. Twelve such “Scriptural road signs” are quoted below and are repeated throughout this commentary.

"For the wages of sin is death, but THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD." (Romans 6:23)

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; IT (SALVATION) IS THE GIFT OF GOD, NOT OF WORKS, lest anyone should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)

"FOR GOD'S GIFTS AND HIS CALL ARE IRREVOCABLE. [He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call.]" (Romans 11:29 Amplified Bible)

"...BEING JUSTIFIED FREELY BY HIS GRACE THROUGH THE REDEMPTION THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS, whom God set forth as a propitiation BY HIS BLOOD, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. (Romans 3:24-26 -- Emphasis Mine)

"...NOT BY WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH WE HAVE DONE, BUT ACCORDING TO HIS MERCY (GRACE) HE SAVED US, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:5-7)

“Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. BUT TO HIM WHO DOES NOT WORK BUT BELIEVES ON HIM WHO JUSTIFIES THE UNGODLY, HIS FAITH IS ACCOUNTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS, just as David also describes the blessedness of the man TO WHOM GOD IMPUTES RIGHTEOUSNESS APART FROM WORKS: "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; BLESSED IS THE MAN TO WHOM THE LORD SHALL NOT IMPUTE SIN." (Romans 4:4-8)

“For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, MUCH MORE THOSE WHO RECEIVE ABUNDANCE OF GRACE AND OF THE GIFT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so THROUGH ONE MAN'S (JESUS’) RIGHTEOUS ACT THE FREE GIFT CAME TO ALL MEN, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, SO ALSO BY ONE MAN'S OBEDIENCE MANY WILL BE MADE RIGHTEOUS." (Romans 5:17-19)

"FOR AS MANY AS ARE OF THE WORKS OF THE LAW ARE UNDER THE CURSE; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” BUT THAT NO ONE IS JUSTIFIED BY THE LAW IN THE SIGHT OF GOD IS EVIDENT, for “the just shall live by faith.” YET THE LAW IS NOT OF FAITH..." (Galatians 3:10-12 -- Emphasis Mine)

"AND IF BY GRACE, THEN IT IS NO LONGER OF WORKS; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work." (Romans 11:6)

"Therefore BY THE DEEDS OF THE LAW NO FLESH WILL BE JUSTIFIED IN HIS SIGHT". (Romans 3:20 -- Emphasis Mine)

"You have become estranged (separated) from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; YOU HAVE FALLEN FROM GRACE." (Galatians 5:4 -- Emphasis Mine)

"For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: FOR IF RIGHTEOUSNESS COME BY THE LAW, THEN CHRIST IS DEAD IN VAIN (THE WORD "VAIN" MEANS THAT CHRIST'S DEATH BECOMES WORTHLESS)." (Galatians 2:19-21 NKJV Emphasis Mine)

These road signs tell us several things about the true authentic Gospel of Christ ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES. They also act as many of the spiritual principles that govern the New Covenant Lordship of Jesus Christ.

FIRST
Eternal life is “the gift of God” given without the need for works or merit, WHICH IS WHY GOD CALLS IT A GIFT (Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5-7)

SECOND
The benefits of eternal life are given freely by God’s Grace (unmerited and undeserved favor) and obtained by a unique New Covenant faith in Christ that does not require works. (Romans 3:24-26 and Romans 4:4-8 , Romans 6:23 and Titus 3:5-7)

THIRD
Old Testament Law and New Testament Grace cancels each other out. You cannot mix both of these religious systems of faith together and have both in operation -- like most churches do today. (Romans 11:6)

FOURTH
Attempting to mix Law and Grace causes you to fall from God’s Grace, separates you from Christ, brings you under a curse and makes Christ’s sacrifice of no value. (Carefully read Galatians 2:19-21, Galatians 3:10-12 and Galatians 5:4)

FIFTH
Those that choose the Law’s path can never be justified in the sight of God (Romans 3:20). Give careful consideration to this warning. Justification is a freely bestowed benefit purchased by Christ’s blood where God treats the sinner as if they had never sinned (Romans 3:24-26)--even when they do. Under the New Covenant that began after the cross, our Heavenly Father can now “freely justify” any sinner, regardless of the severity of their sin because Jesus Christ, as the Lamb of God, did indeed completely “take away the sin of the world". This “free justification” was not available under the Old Testament religious system of the Law.

If the gospel message you hear imposes some moral requirement, ethical code or regiment of service or works on your life BEFORE GOD WILL ALLOW YOU TO HAVE ETERNAL LIFE, YOU ARE HEARING WHAT PAUL CALLS “ANOTHER GOSPEL” (GALATIANS 1:6-8). YOU ARE NOT HEARING THE REAL GOSPEL OF CHRIST, WHICH IS GIVEN AS GOD’S FREE AND UNMERITED GIFT TO YOU. According to the New Testament Scriptures, this is true whether your church teaches it this way or not--and whether you personally believe it or not. Critics who embrace this theology love to subtly refer to God’s unconditional free gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 3:24-25, Romans 4:1-8, Titus 3:5-7) as “greasy grace” or “easy believism”. One very angry preacher referred to it as “the grace cult”, which would normally be funny if it weren’t so sad. When you hear these labels thrown out to defend someone’s beliefs or the doctrine of a church, you are probably in contact with one of the many expressions of legalism, which commonly operate “by stealth”, masquerading as Christ-centered Bible teaching. We call attention to these things in order to warn that this dangerous theology is found in many congregations in the modern church. This is especially true among those who enthusiastically claim to be “fundamental Bible believers”, who fail to properly examine the doctrine of their church or denomination.

The New Covenant Law of the Spirit
of Life in Christ Jesus

Some readers of this commentary may think that the Lordship of Jesus Christ requires no obedience to any laws. This is simply not true. What Legalism (and Lordship Salvation) attempts to do is REPLACE OR MIX the New Covenant laws that now govern Christ’s Lordship after the cross--with the Laws of the Old Covenant, WHICH THE BIBLE SAYS ARE NOW MADE “OBSOLETE” BY THE NEW LAWS ESTABLISHED ON THE GRACE OF CHRIST.

"Because finding fault with them, He says: "Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make A NEW COVENANT with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah -- NOT ACCORDING TO THE COVENANT (THE OLD COVENANT) THAT I MADE WITH THEIR FATHERS in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord. For this is the covenant (The New Covenant) that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them. FOR I WILL BE MERCIFUL TO THEIR UNRIGHTEOUSNESS, AND THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE.

(We should pay great attention to this next verse)

IN THAT HE (JESUS CHRIST) SAYS, ‘A NEW COVENANT,’ HE HAS MADE THE FIRST OBSOLETE. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away." (Hebrews 8:8-13 NKJV)

[AN IMPORTANT NOTE: The New Covenant was offered to Israel FIRST, which is why the Old Testament prophet Isaiah (repeated here in the book of Hebrews) seems to indicate that it is only something designed for Israel “and the house of Judah”. After Israel rejected Christ’s New Covenant, as Paul records in Acts 13:44-52, God “went around” their disobedience and extended the incredible spiritual benefits of the New Covenant to the rest of the Gentile world. Keep in mind that the word “Gentile” is a racial term that includes all earthly human races, which also includes any Jewish people who choose to join the Gentiles and become “one new man in Christ” (Read Ephesians 2:4-19). We must remember that including the Gentiles in the New Covenant is declared to be “a mystery” and was generally unknown (and despised) during the Old Testament administration of Israel.]

Christ’s Lordship has rules and laws. Yet, these unique laws are designed to set us free from the bondage and consequence of sin that held the human race captive since Adam’s rebellion in the garden. The false religion of Legalism (and its expression through Lordship Salvation) has a completely different agenda, which can be found throughout the writings of the Old Testament. Those that embrace this theology must emphasize sin and the bondage it creates as a way to generate fear and doubt, which are great motivational tools to control whole congregations. One characteristic of their ministry is that they continually preach about sin--and constantly point a condemning finger at the sin of other people (just like the Pharisees did during the earthly ministry of Christ). This would not be a behavioral trait of someone who truly believes that Jesus Christ is, “The Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.” We are not saying that preaching against sin is wrong. Obviously, Paul preached against sin in his epistles to the Church because it’s something the Christian believer should avoid. Yet, the Pharisaical and condemning way that legalists do it is misguided and is aligned with the priorities of Old Testament Law, rather than the New Covenant of Christ, which is established on Grace (or God’s unmerited and undeserved favor).

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’” And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. FOR THE LAW WAS GIVEN THROUGH MOSES, BUT GRACE AND TRUTH CAME THROUGH JESUS CHRIST." (John 1:14-17)

The last thing legalists want is for the Christian believer to discover that the Lordship authority of Christ is designed to set them free from these influences of religious bondage. This is why we repeatedly say that one major characteristic of legalism is to force Christian believers into a place where he or she doubts whether they have obeyed enough, repented enough, lived holy enough or labored in religious service enough to obtain and keep salvation. Once anyone is ensnared in that kind of false Christianity, it’s easy for a church leader to control almost every aspect of their life through out-of-context Bible teaching, which is designed to create nearly unbearable levels of doubt and fear. This is why Paul condemned this popular theology as “spiritual bondage”.

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death (or Old Covenant Law)." (Romans 8:2)

"And this occurred BECAUSE OF FALSE BRETHREN SECRETLY BROUGHT IN (WHO CAME IN BY STEALTH TO SPY OUT OUR LIBERTY WHICH WE HAVE IN CHRIST JESUS, THAT THEY MIGHT BRING US INTO BONDAGE), to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, THAT THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL MIGHT CONTINUE WITH YOU." (Galatians 2:4-5 -- Emphasis Mine)

THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE IN CHRIST IS WHAT GOVERNS CHRIST’S LORDSHIP AUTHORITY. If you want to see some of these “laws of the Spirit of life in Christ”, they are listed above in what we call “Scriptural road signs to the truth of the Gospel” (This list is not exhaustive). We could also refer to them as “the laws of the Grace of Christ”, which is expressed as God’s unmerited and undeserved favor. They are designed to set us free from the fear and bondage found in what Paul refers to as “the law of sin and death”. However, the error of Lordship Salvation attempts to undermine or replace these life-giving laws of Christ and reinstate the ones that Paul said that we are freed from (Romans 7:6 says we are “delivered from this law”). Undermining and reversing the life-giving benefits of the cross of Christ is what qualifies all expressions of Legalism as “a demonically inspired theology”, which is designed to covertly oppose Christ’s finished redemptive work, by masquerading as good fundamental Christ-centered Bible teaching.

Why Christ’s New Covenant Omits the
Written Code of Old Covenant Law

The reason God now writes His Law on the believer's heart (Hebrews 8:6-13) is to permanently take us away from the Old Testament "conditional" method of trying to obtain salvation through rigid obedience to a written code. THE APOSTLE PAUL REFERS TO THE LAW AS "THE LETTER" AND "THE HANDWRITING OF THE REQUIREMENTS THAT WAS AGAINST US, WHICH WAS CONTRARY TO US" IN HIS EPISTLES. Under the New Covenant, God now freely gives salvation as His unmerited gift (Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 3:24-25, Romans 4:1-8, Titus 3:5-7), entirely paid for by the sacrifice of Christ. A different and new dynamic comes into play where "The Law is written on our heart" and now influences our life FROM WITHIN.

"Because finding fault with them, He says: "Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I WILL MAKE A NEW COVENANT with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah -- NOT ACCORDING TO THE COVENANT (THE OLD COVENANT) THAT I MADE WITH THEIR FATHERS in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord. For this is the covenant (The New Covenant) that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I WILL PUT MY LAWS IN THEIR MIND AND WRITE THEM ON THEIR HEARTS, AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them. FOR I WILL BE MERCIFUL TO THEIR UNRIGHTEOUSNESS, AND THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE." (Hebrews 8:8-12 NKJV)

"IN THAT HE (JESUS CHRIST) SAYS, "A NEW COVENANT," HE HAS MADE THE FIRST OBSOLETE. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away." (Hebrews 8:13 NKJV)

[REPEATING AN IMPORTANT NOTE: The New Covenant was offered to Israel FIRST, which is why the Old Testament prophet Isaiah (repeated here in the book of Hebrews) seems to indicate that it is only something designed for Israel “and the house of Judah”. After Israel rejected Christ’s New Covenant, as Paul records in Acts 13:44-52, God “went around” their disobedience and extended the incredible spiritual benefits of the New Covenant to the rest of the Gentile world. Keep in mind that the word “Gentile” is a racial term that includes all earthly human races, which also includes any Jewish people who choose to join the Gentiles and become “one new man in Christ” (Read Ephesians 2:4-19). We must remember that including the Gentiles in the New Covenant is declared to be “a mystery” and was generally unknown (and despised) during the Old Testament administration of Israel.]

The Law is not being "thrown out" as critics accuse. GOD IS CHANGING THE LAW’S FUNCTION FROM SOMETHING EXTERNAL (UNDER THE OLD COVENANT) TO SOMETHING INTERNAL (UNDER CHRIST’S NEW COVENANT). Here's the problem. Critics secretly think that the internal Law is too subjective. Yet, the real problem is that God has taken away an important fear-generating tool that certain religious leaders use to manipulate Christian believers. This is why major systems of "Christian theology” exist to undermine and reverse this Divine change initiated by the New Covenant of Christ. THE INTERNAL "WRITTEN LAW ON OUR HEART" IS A VASTLY SUPERIOR SPIRITUAL MECHANISM THAT MAKES THE EXTERNAL WRITTEN CODE UNNECESSARY AND OBSOLETE AS STATED IN SCRIPTURE.

"But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He (Jesus) is also MEDIATOR OF A BETTER COVENANT, WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED ON BETTER PROMISES. For if that FIRST COVENANT had been faultless, then no place would have been sought FOR A SECOND." (Hebrews 8:6-7 NKJV -- Emphasis Mine)

"IN THAT HE (JESUS CHRIST) SAYS, "A NEW COVENANT," HE HAS MADE THE FIRST OBSOLETE. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away." (Hebrews 8:13 NKJV -- Emphasis Mine)

Everyone who loves God and has His Law and Commandments WRITTEN ON THEIR HEART will desire to live in harmony with its values. However, Paul’s New Testament epistles to the Church warn that our salvation (now God's gift to us) is no longer dependent upon how successful we are at perfectly keeping the Law. THIS IS WHY THE NEW TESTAMENT OF THE BIBLE WARNS THAT SOME KIND OF "MEASURED OBEDIENCE" TO THE OLD WRITTEN CODE OF THE LAW (PAUL CALLS IT “THE LETTER”) IS NOT A REQUIREMENT TO OBTAIN OR KEEP SALVATION UNDER CHRIST'S NEW COVENANT. Why? WE NOW HAVE THE LAW OPERATING IN A TOTALLY NEW WAY. IT IS WRITTEN ON OUR HEART AND GUIDES OUR LIFE FROM WITHIN. Yet, we should understand that each and every Christian believer will have a different response to the law's indwelling and guiding influence. God operates by urging and guiding -- He never dominates and forces us against our will. For this reason, some will cooperate more with the Law's internal influence -- and some less. Those that have less success in allowing the "written Law of the heart" to guide their life may suffer a loss of status and reward when they arrive in heaven -- BUT THEIR LACK OF SUCCESS DOES NOT CAUSE THEM TO LOSE ETERNAL LIFE, WHICH IS GIVEN AS GOD'S IRREVOCABLE GIFT.

"FOR GOD'S GIFTS AND HIS CALL ARE IRREVOCABLE. [He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call.]" (Romans 11:29 Amplified Bible)

The old written code (The Letter of the Law) IS NOW REPLACED by "the writing of the Law on the heart" found under Christ's New Covenant (Read: Romans 7:6, 2 Corinthians 3:6, Hebrews 8:6-13). It's important not to gloss over these Scriptures that are listed. READ THEM SLOWLY AND OUT LOUD TO YOURSELF.

Next, consider the words and terminology Paul used in these Scriptures:

"And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him (Christ), having forgiven you all trespasses, HAVING WIPED OUT THE HANDWRITING OF THE REQUIREMENTS THAT WAS AGAINST US (THE LAW), WHICH WAS CONTRARY TO US. AND HE HAS TAKEN IT OUT OF THE WAY, HAVING NAILED IT TO THE CROSS." (Colossians 2:13-14 NKJV -- Emphasis Mine)

"Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands—that at that time you were without Christ, BEING ALIENS FROM THE COMMONWEALTH OF ISRAEL AND STRANGERS FROM THE COVENANTS OF PROMISE, HAVING NO HOPE AND WITHOUT GOD IN THE WORLD. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, HAVING ABOLISHED IN HIS FLESH THE ENMITY, THAT IS, THE LAW OF COMMANDMENTS CONTAINED IN ORDINANCES, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. NOW, THEREFORE, YOU ARE NO LONGER STRANGERS AND FOREIGNERS, BUT FELLOW CITIZENS WITH THE SAINTS AND MEMBERS OF THE HOUSEHOLD OF GOD, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit." (Ephesians 2:11-22)

Many of the popular teachings that reinstate and mix Old Testament Law into Christ’s salvation originates from the doctrine of Calvinism and Reformed Theology, which is commonly involved in the spiritually illegal practice of redefining God's Grace. A common phrase used in these teachings is, "The Holy Spirit enables us to keep the Law in a way that wasn't possible before". All of this sounds good, but here's the problem: CHRIST'S NEW COVENANT OF GRACE SAYS NO SUCH THING. Concerning Old Covenant Law, the New Covenant declares...

We've been DELIVERED [SET FREE] FROM THE LAW (Romans 7:6)

We ARE NOT TO SERVE GOD IN THE OLDNESS OF THE LETTER [Old Covenant Law] (Romans 7:6)

Paul ministered the New Covenant, NOT THE LETTER [Old Covenant Law] (2 Cor. 3:6)

The letter [Old Covenant Law] kills, but the Spirit [Christ's New Covenant] gives life (2 Cor. 3:6)

No one is justified [obtains and keeps salvation] through the deeds [or the keeping] of the Law (Rom. 3:19-22)

OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS IS NOW OBTAINED APART FROM [WITHOUT THE NEED FOR] THE DEEDS [OR THE KEEPING] OF THE LAW (Rom. 3:19-22)

If our righteousness comes from keeping The Law then Christ's sacrificial death becomes worthless [or "Vain"] (Gal. 2:21)

Jesus has "wiped out the handwriting of the requiments (The Law) that was against us." (Colossians 2:13-14)

Jesus has "TAKEN THE LAW OUT OF THE WAY HAVING NAILED IT TO THE CROSS" (Colossans 2:13-14)

JESUS ABOLISHED IN HIS FLESH THE ENMITY, THAT IS, THE LAW OF COMMANDMENTS CONTAINED IN ORDINANCES. (Ephesians 2:11-22)

The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus [Christ's New Covenant] HAS MADE ME FREE FROM THE LAW OF SIN AND DEATH [Old Covenant Law]. (Rom. 8:2)

When the Bible (in Romans 7:6 and Romans 8:2) tells us that we are "Delivered, or set free from the Law" -- IT DOES NOT MEAN THE SAME THING AS..."The Holy Spirit enables us to keep the Law in a way that wasn't possible before."

The word "delivered" (as used in Romans 7:6) and "abolished" (as used in Ephesians 2:11-12) and "wiped out and taken away" (as used in Colossians 2:13-14) means: To set free, as from bondage or servatude; as in "deliver a captive from slavery".

If the Bible tells us that we are now "delivered and set free from the Law"--If the Bible tells us that the Law has been "abolished" for the New Covenant Believer--If the Bible tells us that the Law as "The handwriting of the requirements that was against us" is now "wiped out and taken away"--then the following is also true.

The Holy Spirit will not violate that
powerful and clear Biblical directive
by somehow enabling you to keep something
that God said Jesus Christ has taken away,
abolished and delivered us from.

Are we being absurdly repetitive in our statement? Yes, but it's done to emphasize an important truth. If you’ve ever had a conversation with someone ensnared in one of the many expressions of legalism, you can understand why Jesus referred to such people as “blind guides”--and He obviously had an angry tone in His voice when He made this comparison (Matthew 23:16-19, 24-26). Christ's words were true even though His audience intimately knew the Scriptures. Overly religious people in the church can know the Scriptures and still be spiritually blind. Why? They reject the clear and literal text of Scripture simply because it casts doubt on their personal theology and religious traditions. The Pharisees had the same kind of spiritual blindness when they opposed Christ during His earthly ministry. They couldn't accept the fact that the Bible has a specific context, which they've been conditioned to ignore. It involves a failure to understand that the beliefs of their church or religion, while appearing to be founded on fundamental teaching from the Bible, are actually built on out-of-context Scripture that comes from a popular man-made theology that is wrongly placed on an equal level with God's Word. The Bible calls this serious, yet common spiritual condition, “unbelief”, which causes a form of "spiritual blindness" that cannot be reasoned with. Nearly all forms of unbelief looks like good solid Bible teaching on the surface and can ensnare even the most intelligent and highly educated among us. The Scribes and Pharisees operated in the same kind of unbelief, and persuaded Pontus Pilate to crucify Christ, which was the One the apostle John called, “The Word made flesh”. Those who wanted Christ crucified were so convinced their traditions and interpretation of Scripture was correct, they couldn’t see anything else, especially when it was right in front of them. This is but one example of what Jesus calls, “spiritual blindness”. Yet, nobody knew the Scriptures better than the Pharisees.

The Law is now written on our heart, which means that the indwelling Holy Spirit will give us the desire to live according to its Godly intentions. However, it’s not the Holy Spirit job to "enable us to keep the Law" in a way that meets God's approval and secures salvation. Why? First of all, CHRIST'S NEW COVENANT WARNS REPEATEDLY THAT IT DOES NOT OFFER SALVATION THROUGH OBEDIENCE TO THE LAW. IT WARNS THAT IF YOU CHOOSE THIS FORBIDDEN PATH, YOU PLACE YOURSELF UNDER A SPIRITUAL CURSE (A WARNING GIVEN BY THE APOSTLE PAUL). THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL NEVER DO SOMETHING THAT VIOLATES GOD'S WORD IN THIS WAY. SECONDLY, IF YOU IGNORE THE TENANTS OF THE NEW COVENANT AND CHOOSE THE LAW'S PATH TO SALVATION, GOD REQUIRES "PERFECT OBEDIENCE". Since we are still in fleshly bodies and its weaknesses, the Holy Spirit cannot somehow enable us to live in some "mystical state" where we always "perfectly keep the Law". Even with His help, this is not possible because it requires that we "keep the Law" perfectly all the time for the rest of our life. James warns about this often ignored characteristic among those who try to obtain or keep Christ's salvation by the common practice of mixing Law and Grace.

"For whoever shall keep the whole law, and YET STUMBLE IN ONE POINT, HE IS GUILTY OF ALL." (James 2:10--Emphasis Mine)

Paul gives a more sober and stronger warning:

"FOR AS MANY AS ARE OF THE WORKS OF THE LAW ARE UNDER THE CURSE; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” BUT THAT NO ONE IS JUSTIFIED BY THE LAW IN THE SIGHT OF GOD IS EVIDENT, for “the just shall live by faith.” YET THE LAW IS NOT OF FAITH..." (Galatians 3:10-12 -- Emphasis Mine)

"Therefore BY THE DEEDS OF THE LAW NO FLESH WILL BE JUSTIFIED IN HIS SIGHT". (Romans 3:20 -- Emphasis Mine)

Read Galatians 3:10-12 once again: "FOR AS MANY AS ARE OF THE WORKS OF THE LAW ARE UNDER THE CURSE; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” If you've ever wondered why the power of God isn't around anymore....If you've ever wondered why so many Christians are sick, diseased and suffering untold problems, it's because many are trying to live for Christ through Old Testament Law found within the theology of Legalism--and not through New Covenant Grace, which Paul referred to as, “the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus”.

"I MARVEL THAT YOU ARE TURNING AWAY SO SOON FROM HIM WHO CALLED YOU IN THE GRACE OF CHRIST, TO A DIFFERENT GOSPEL, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. BUT EVEN IF WE, OR AN ANGEL FROM HEAVEN, PREACH ANY OTHER GOSPEL TO YOU THAN WHAT WE HAVE PREACHED TO YOU, LET HIM BE ACCURSED. As we have said before, SO NOW I SAY AGAIN, IF ANYONE PREACHES ANY OTHER GOSPEL TO YOU THAN WHAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED, LET HIM BE ACCURSED." (Galatians 1:6-9--Emphasis Mine)

To the Church at Colosse, Paul uses different words to describe the same truth:

"And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, HAVING WIPED OUT THE HANDWRITING OF THE REQUIREMENTS THAT WAS AGAINST US, WHICH WAS CONTRARY TO US. AND HE HAS TAKEN IT OUT OF THE WAY, HAVING NAILED IT TO THE CROSS." (Colossians 2:13-14 NKJV -- Emphasis Mine)

This is why New Covenant salvation REMOVES "KEEPING THE LAW" (OR OBEDIENCE TO "THE LETTER") FROM ITS REQUIREMENTS. No one, even with the Holy Spirit's help, can "keep the Law" perfectly all the time. The supporters of the countless expressions of legalistic theology tend to leave out this "impossible to keep" requirment in their doctrine. According to the New Testament, this kind of perfection cannot be attained in our fleshly human bodies (Romans 3:23). It is why the New Covenant provides salvation (eternal life) THROUGH "A FAITH IN CHRIST WITHOUT WORKS" (Read Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 4:1-8, Romans 5:17-19, Titus 3:5).

Romans 4:5 -- "BUT TO HIM WHO DOES NOT WORK BUT BELIEVES ON HIM (JESUS CHRIST) WHO JUSTIFIES THE UNGOLDLY, HIS FAITH IS ACCOUNTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS".

The Bible calls this "faith in Christ without works", God's Grace, which means "unmerited favor". More importantly, the New Covenant warns that if you try to obtain or keep salvation through obedience to the Law, religious service, or good works (or by adding the requirements of the Law to Grace) -- you will not only fail in your attempt, but will also be guilty of using a methodology that makes Christ's sacrificial death meaningless (Galatians 2:21 uses the phrase "Christ died in vain"). In other words, YOUR CHOSEN THEOLOGY AND RELIGIOUS PRACTICES ARE ACTUALLY A STEALTH DENIAL OF CHRIST'S SALVATION AND REDEMPTION. Why? CHRIST'S SACRIFICIAL BLOOD FULLY PURCHASED SALVATION, WHICH ALLOWS US TO ENJOY IT AS A PRE-PAID GIFT. Adding obedience to the Law to "salvation by Grace", no matter how well-intentioned, is a covert way of denying Christ's blood-bought gift. Peter referred to this teaching as "a damnable heresy that denies the Lord who bought (or ransomed) us" (2 Peter 2:1). Why is this theology considered “a denial of Christ?” It denies that Jesus paid the full ransom price for our redemption. Problems such as this can never be dismissed or ignored by suggesting that the millions of professing Christians who support this theology are brothers and sisters in Christ who just have a different interpretation of the Bible. These are hard Scriptural facts that expose the popular Christian theology of Legalism AS A SYSTEM OF RELIGION THAT DOES NOT COME FROM GOD. As with anything that comes from our enemy, God demands that we turn away from the influence.

The constant confusion and fear often found in churches that preach legalism illustrates why the apostle Paul condemned this type of religious faith. He considered this religious influence a serious threat because of its ability to deceive even the most intelligent and educated among us. Young and inexperienced Christian believers will almost certainly be ensnared by these popular teachings, while being tricked into thinking they're Christ's most devoted servants.

Reviewing What We’ve Learned

The danger in this commentary is thinking that we’re somehow attempting to discredit or attack Christ’s position as Lord, which is certainly not true. We’re seeking to expose a perversion (or “look-alike”) where popular theologians, evangelists and preachers (both historical and modern day) attempt to add the keeping of certain moral laws usually associated with Christ’s position as Lord AS A PREREQUISITE FOR OBTAINING SALVATION. This is what motivated the apostle Paul to condemn this misleading theology as “a different gospel”, which he said was a perverted version of the Gospel of Christ. He used the term “different gospel” to illustrate that the doctrine wasn’t something that appears as “an opposite”, BUT AS A LOOK-ALIKE. It covertly, twists Scripture and distorts the Bible’s context in order to make the Bible say something that it doesn’t say. The apostle Paul refuted the counterfeit faith in Christ (caused by this false gospel), which had ensnared the Galatian church by saying.....

"I MARVEL THAT YOU ARE TURNING AWAY SO SOON FROM HIM WHO CALLED YOU IN THE GRACE OF CHRIST, TO A DIFFERENT GOSPEL, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. BUT EVEN IF WE, OR AN ANGEL FROM HEAVEN, PREACH ANY OTHER GOSPEL TO YOU THAN WHAT WE HAVE PREACHED TO YOU, LET HIM BE ACCURSED." (Galatians 1:6-8 NKJV -- Emphasis Mine)

In Romans 10:9 the King James Bible says: “....That 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.” However, some evangelists and theologians take the liberty of subtly adding other requirments to this Scripture. Instead of saying that a new convert must simply “confess the Lord Jesus” (or confess that Jesus is Lord [God]), they say instead that you must “make Jesus Christ the Lord of your life” or “come forward and surrender your life to Christ” in order to possess eternal life. These two positions look very similar, on the surface. However, they are miles apart when you closely examine what's being said. The snare is that sincere converts naturally and correctly want Jesus Christ to be the Lord of their life and agree to the terms. However, the subtle modification by Lordship theologians and evangelists essentially requires you to commit yourself to obey all the authority (and the rules of morality involved) of Christ’s Lordship FIRST -- BEFORE GOD WILL ALLOW YOU TO OBTAIN ETERNAL LIFE. This typically suggests or demands that we “clean up” our lives beforehand (some refer to this as committing to a moral transformation) to demonstrate to God that we have seriously complied with Christ’s Lordship authority and are now worthy to receive eternal life.

Here’s the problem. Supporters of the Lordship Salvation error have it backwards -- and their teachings lead believers astray in their faith from the very beginning. Remember that the deadly flaw in the faith of those that practice all expressions of Legalism is that THEY MAKE CHRIST’S SALVATION UNOBTAINABLE OR “QUESTIONABLE” UNLESS YOU COMMIT TO THEIR PARTICULAR REGIMENT OF OBEDIENCE TO OLD TESTAMENT LAW. The goal is to take away, or cast doubt upon what God calls, “the free gift” aspect of Christ’s salvation until you meet the requirements of their teaching. In order to persuade you, they quote various verses from the Bible with little concern about the context. However, according to Romans 10:8-16, our confession that “Jesus is Lord”, is an outward vocal expression of “a faith that does not require personal merit or work requirements” (Read Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 3:24-26, Romans 4:4-8 and Titus 3:5-7). Romans 10:13 makes this clear and illustrates the simplicity along with the “free and unmerited” nature of our salvation. Paul states that “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”. IT'S THE "CALLING UPON HIS NAME" THAT ACTIVATES GOD'S GIFT. In this Scripture, Paul does not say that any special commitment to obey a moral code is a prerequisite to our “being saved” (or obtaining eternal life). Just recognizing that Jesus is Lord (the root word translated as “Lord” in this case means God) and simply calling upon His name is all that’s needed to obtain God’s free gift (Romans 6:23 and Ephesians 2:8-9). If some kind of special “moral transformation” was a requirement to obtain eternal life (as Lordship theologians and evangelists insist) Paul would have mentioned it here.

New Testament salvation was designed by God to be simple so that it could be received freely as a gift. First, we hear and believe the Gospel of Christ. Next, we respond by confessing (or calling upon) “the Lord Jesus Christ” according to Romans 10:8-13. At that point, the Holy Spirit comes to indwell us (we are sealed until the day of redemption--Ephesians 1:13-14 also 2 Corinthians 1:22 and 2 Corinthians 5:5). Finally, the indwelling Holy Spirit begins a process that transforms us on the inside and moves us toward a change in Christ-like behavior. These changes do not occur before we are saved. They are not the result of the strength and determination of our will. These internal life-changing influences are the result of the power of the Holy Spirit, who now lives inside all those who are saved. The process that begins after we are saved is commonly known as sanctification and continues until either Jesus returns or our physical life ends. It is a life-long process where God attempts to practically transform us into the image of Jesus Christ our Lord.

GOD SETS ALL OF THIS IN MOTION AFTER WE BELIEVE ON CHRIST -- AFTER WE RECEIVE GOD’S GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE -- AND AFTER THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES TO DWELL INSIDE US.

"....being confident of this very thing, that HE WHO BEGUN A GOOD WORK IN YOU WILL COMPLETE IT UNTIL THE DAY OF JESUS CHRIST." (Philippians 1:6 -- Emphasis Mine)

Legalism Corrupts the Truth of the Gospel

There are many common slogans and cliché’s associated with legalism and its various expressions. Here’s a popular one that you might hear from those that preach Lordship Salvation.

If Jesus isn’t Lord of all--He’s not Lord at all.

Every authentic Christian believer wants to see Jesus in the position of being "Lord of all". However, this slogan is covertly communicating something that many fail to discern. For Jesus to hold the position of “Lord of all” it is said that we must PERFECTLY OBEY ALL THE LAWS AND RULES of His Lordship, which are usually left undefined and vague by design. Often, they are based on Old Testament Law and other religious behavioral rules held by a particular church or denomination. Anything less than total obedience (i.e. “If Jesus isn’t Lord of all....”) cancels or casts doubt on His position as “Lord” in our life. Mixing Scripture and theological opinion together in misleading catch phrases is a common strategy among legalists. The goal is to get the believer to accept their saying as “The Word of God”, when it’s actually repackaged religious dogma, opinion or out-of-context Scripture. When you apply the whole slogan to your life something very troubling comes to the surface. If you aren’t obeying Jesus Christ (usually understood as obeying Old Testament Law and/or the teachings of the pastor, elder or apostle) in every aspect of your life, then He may not truly be your Lord. Since you’ve been taught that it’s necessary for Jesus to be your Lord to possess eternal life--you might not be saved, even if you think you are. It's no wonder the apostle Paul was angered by doctrines like this and used terms like “perverted” to describe them. Lordship Salvation, while sounding like a good fundamental Bible teaching, represents a disastrous distortion of Scripture, yet still looks and sounds “Biblical”. On one hand, it subtly injects doubt concerning the completed work of Christ and the sufficiency of His blood to freely (without merit or work) justify and cleanse us from all sin. On the other hand, it carries the illusion of championing the Biblical truth that “Jesus is Lord”. This misleading two part strategy sends many believers astray in their faith.

Once again, one of the primary “red flags” of false Christian theology waves before our eyes. How do you measure whether you’ve made Jesus Christ Lord of every area of your life? The Bible warns that we can’t live perfectly sinless in this earthly life. The Bible warns that regardless of how hard we try -- regardless of how much we desire to obey, our obedience to Christ will never meet God’s standard for perfection -- AND GOD DOES NOT RESPECT YOUR GOOD INTENTIONS IN THIS AREA. If you’re going to follow the example of millions of professing Christians and choose the path of Legalism, God requires perfection AND TOTAL OBEDIENCE WITHOUT FAIL (Read James 2:10). God requires that Jesus be Lord of every area of your life--or you will fail to meet His standards. How is it possible to know that we’ve obeyed Christ’s Lordship enough to be saved (or to be worthy enough to leave with the Church at the rapture)? Once again, it’s not possible to know if we follow this good-looking, yet false religious path. Under the error of Lordship Salvation, we can never have the confidence and assurance of having Eternal Life, which is one reason both Paul and Peter warned that these kinds of religious influences COME FROM OUR ENEMY DISGUISED AS A FUNDAMENTAL BIBLE TEACHING. THESE TEACHINGS ARE DESIGNED TO DESTROY OUR CONFIDENCE AND LIBERTY IN CHRIST AND CAST DOUBT ON OUR ETERNAL SALVATION, WHICH WAS COMPLETELY PRE-PAID BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST. They keep us in a type of “squirrel cage religious bondage”, where we are always trying to make Jesus Lord of every area of our life, YET NEVER KNOWING IF WE’VE SUCCEEDED ENOUGH TO BE WORTHY OF HEAVEN AND ETERNAL LIFE. Jesus as “The Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world” forever removes us from this religious treadmill and sets us free.

Critics complain that we’re throwing out a Biblical requirement for moral behavior and turning the Gospel into “easy believism” where the Christian convert can live anyway they want and still claim to be saved. This common accusation is not only dishonest, but disingenuous. What we’re doing is preserving the original intention and “good news” of Christ’s salvation as “God’s gift to us” (as taught by the Scriptures) and exposing a popular Christian theology that makes God look like a liar. The countless expressions of legalism has operated quietly behind the scenes since the first century. It nearly destroyed the Galatian Church and prompted Paul to write a letter in an attempt to correct the damage. Believing the Gospel of Christ “saves” the Christian from hell and ETERNALLY SECURES THEIR PLACE IN HEAVEN. After they are securely saved, it’s Christ’s job, in the person of the the indwelling Holy Spirit, to bring about the changes AND BEGIN THE PROCESS OF ALIGNING THE NEW CHRISTIAN BELIEVER WITH HIS PRIORITES. However, Jesus Christ does not force His will on us as some kind of a dictator. What angers the critics is something rarely discussed. It involves the controversial topic of spiritual authority. Removing the authority to manage our life from an earthly spiritual leader--and giving it to the indwelling Holy Spirit (where the Bible says it rightfully belongs) is said to be too subjective. Some church leaders claim that it gives the Christian believer too much freedom. As a result, they believe Old Testament Law (administered by them) should continue to determine the validity of an individual's salvation, where the fear of losing salvation (or going to hell) forces them to be obedient. In response, the apostle Paul had this to say....

"And this occurred BECAUSE OF FALSE BRETHREN SECRETLY BROUGHT IN (WHO CAME IN BY STEALTH TO SPY OUT OUR LIBERTY WHICH WE HAVE IN CHRIST JESUS, THAT THEY MIGHT BRING US INTO BONDAGE), to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, THAT THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL MIGHT CONTINUE WITH YOU." (Galatians 2:4-5 -- Emphasis Mine)

"But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, TRANSFORMING THEMSELVES INTO APOSTLES OF CHRIST. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. THEREFORE IT IS NO GREAT THING IF HIS MINISTERS ALSO TRANSFORM THEMSELVES INTO MINISTERS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, whose end will be according to their works." (2 Corinthians 11:12-15)

"Stand fast therefore IN THE LIBERTY BY WHICH CHRIST HAS MADE US FREE, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage." (Galatians 5:1)

This material is part 2 of a two-part Bible study.
In certain situations, this study may be used
as a "stand alone" commentary in order to address
specific questions about the nature of Christ's
salvation. To access part 1 click on the
following link:

Looking At The Church In The
Rear-View Mirror: Examining The Past
To Understand The Problems Of Today

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How Legalistic Religion PervertsGod's Gift of Eternal Life

Exposing the Subtle Error of Lordship Salvation

A Rock of Offence Commentary

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"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, HOW SHALL HE NOT WITH HIM ALSO FREELY GIVE US ALL THINGS?" (Romans 8:31-32 KJV -- Emphasis Mine)

Important Note

God’s gift of salvation is initially and simply obtainedby believing in and calling upon a name....

IMPORTANT: PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THE NEXT SCRIPTURE.

"FOR GOD'S GIFTS AND HIS CALL ARE IRREVOCABLE. [He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call.]" (Romans 11:29 Amplified Bible)

"But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! FOR YOU SHUT UP THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN AGAINST MEN; for you neither go in yourselves, NOR DO YOU ALLOW THOSE WHOARE ENTERING TO GO IN." (Matthew 23:13 NKJV -- Emphasis Mine)

A Different Twist to an Old Heresy That Robs Us of Our Confidence in Christ

The Theology of Legalism is a Dangerous Form of Counterfiet Christianity

Road Signs to the Truth Of the Gospel of Christ

FIRST

SECOND

THIRD

FOURTH

FIFTH

The New Covenant Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus

Why Christ’s New Covenant Omits the Written Code of Old Covenant Law

"FOR GOD'S GIFTS AND HIS CALL ARE IRREVOCABLE. [He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call.]" (Romans 11:29 Amplified Bible)

Romans 4:5 -- "BUT TO HIM WHO DOES NOT WORK BUT BELIEVES ON HIM (JESUS CHRIST) WHO JUSTIFIES THE UNGOLDLY, HIS FAITH IS ACCOUNTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS".

Reviewing What We’ve Learned

"....being confident of this very thing, that HE WHO BEGUN A GOOD WORK IN YOU WILL COMPLETE IT UNTIL THE DAY OF JESUS CHRIST." (Philippians 1:6 -- Emphasis Mine)

Legalism Corrupts the Truth of the Gospel

If Jesus isn’t Lord of all--He’s not Lord at all.

Return To Home Page

How Legalistic Religion Perverts
God's Gift of Eternal Life

God’s gift of salvation is initially and simply obtained
by believing in and calling upon a name....

IMPORTANT: PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION
TO THE NEXT SCRIPTURE.

A Different Twist to an Old Heresy That
Robs Us of Our Confidence in Christ

The Theology of Legalism is a Dangerous
Form of Counterfiet Christianity

Road Signs to the Truth
Of the Gospel of Christ

The New Covenant Law of the Spirit
of Life in Christ Jesus

Why Christ’s New Covenant Omits the
Written Code of Old Covenant Law