Romans Chapter 2 Refutes Lordship Salvation

Romans 2:1, “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.”

I was listening to Alexander Scourby read the book of Romans today and this passage struck me. What a great verse to refute the heresy of Lordship Salvation (LS). What is LS? Lordship Salvation is the false teaching that faith in Jesus Christ is not enough to be saved, more is required. LS says you must surrender to Jesus as absolute “Lord” of your life, which means turning away from a lifestyle of sinning, and giving your heart to Jesus.

Lordship Salvation is rooted in the heresy of Calvinism. John Calvin (1509-1964) was a high profile false preacher, who advocated the theological heresy that you cannot merely put your faith in Jesus Christ to be saved. Expressed in simplest terms, John Calvin believed that God chooses (theologically called unconditional election) who gets saved or goes to Hell. If God chooses you, He forces you to get saved (irresistible grace). Calvin believed that Jesus only died for these select few who have been chosen (limited atonement). Calvin taught that the chosen (i.e., the elect) will persevere in holy lives (perseverance of the saints).

Pastor John MacArthur is a devout 5-point Calvinist. Dr. MacArthur is one of the most popular preachers in the world, and a heretical false teacher who denies that Jesus had God's blood flowing in His veins, denies that children can be saved, denies salvation by faith alone, and denies that Jesus' blood is applied to the heavenly Mercy Seat. Sadly, Dr. Steve Pettit (president of Bob Jones University since 2014) is a personal friend and hardcore supporter of John MacArthur, sinfully bidding him Godspeed. BJU teaches Calvinism to their students. So we see that Lordship Salvation is rooted in Calvinism.

I wanted to share that basic information with you, so you'll understand what's going on. The Bible colleges influence thousands of churches. Most people don't see the threat of Bible colleges today. Water flows downhill. If BJU teaches their 2,600 students Lordship

Paul was rebuking the Jews for trying to keep the law to merit salvation. Paul points out to them that they are requiring other men to do something that they cannot even do, KEEP THE LAW. Paul several verses later reinforces his preaching, saying:

Romans 2:21-23, “Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?”

Advocates of Lordship Salvation require others to "turn away from sin" (i.e., not steal, not commit adultery, not get drunk, et cetera) as a necessary part of getting saved; yet they all still commit sin. Lordship Salvation is an utter contradiction. It is utter hypocrisy. The same Jews who boasted of keeping the law, broke the law of God, and in so doing dishonored God. In Romans chapter 3 Paul shifts gears and concludes (based on his evidence in chapter 2) that all have sinned and no one can be justified by the works of the law. Romans 3:28, “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”