What does “Lordship salvation” mean? Who uses this term?
Recently I read the piece below, calling out “lordship salvation”:
“In the sinner’s prayer … it says “I am willing to turn from sin…” The Bible NEVER asks us to give up anything to receive God’s FREE gift of salvation except our unbelief. I hate the damnable heresy that tells people that they can’t get saved unless they turn from sin. Show me that in the Bible! This does not give us a License to Sin, it simply means that discipleship does not affect our salvation. Jesus NEVER asked us to follow Him to be saved, ONLY to believe on Him.”
Much of this is correct and yet, what’s left out is that after receiving Jesus and thereby being saved by Him (John 1:12), the whole of Scripture reveals that one must “abide” in Christ which means to continue, to remain in Christ. Such can only occur where one that Christ saved is continuing in Him, following Him – otherwise those who don’t remain in Christ after being saved will be burned (John 15:1-6). Jesus warned us that in the last days, the days we now live in “the love of many” would “wax cold” and then says that only those who “endure to the end” are going to be “saved.” (Matthew 24:10-13)
“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” Luke 6:46
Keep in mind that those who condemningly ostracize those they say teach “Lordship salvation” are the exact same heretics who peddle Satan’s original life, which in our day is call things like “eternal security” or “once saved always saved.” (Genesis 2:17;3:4)
If one is not personally vested, engaged in, participating in an abiding worship-filled obedient relationship with Christ, he does not have saving faith nor a relationship with the Son of God. To speak to the issue of salvation as if it’s not a relationship where both parties must become engaged and remain an integral participant, is false. See Jesus’ parable of the 10 virgins in Matthew 25:1-13.
When we worshipfully obey Jesus, we’re not earning our salvation, we’re simply walking with, engaging in a relationship with the Savior who saved us by His grace.
Did Jesus or His holy apostles ever once teach that those saved by Christ, who engage in a real relationship with Him which include obeying the Savior, are trying to earn, attempting to merit their own salvation? I’m still looking for any such verse in God’s Word.
If you don’t choose to love Jesus enough to obey His stated terms, you have rejected the Son of God for the love of sinful self and will perish in your own corruption (Matthew 22:37-40; Luke 9:23-24; 14:33; 17:33; John 14:15; 1 John 2:3-6, etc.).
“We cannot pray in love and live in hate and still think we are worshipping God.” AW Tozer
Those whom Jesus at one point saved and yet they despise the Savior by ridiculing the necessity of being in an abiding relationship with Him, do so because they want nothing to do with Him. They simply vainly believe they are using Him to get them out of hell and into Heaven. As He will sentence them to eternal fire, they will soon hear Him declare “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:” (Matthew 25:40)
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15
Our obedience to God is simply the expression of our love for Him.
“Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” John 15:14
Now that is an irrefutable statement and yet the one and done, lukewarm, cross-less eternal securist will say that’s “adding to the gospel” or “works salvation.” Yet God’s Word states:
“He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” 1 John 2:4
When His covenant people were in rebellion, living in sin, the LORD told them:
“IFFF ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: 20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” Isaiah 1:19-20
Recently someone who is attacking what they call “Lordship salvation” said this:
“Lordship Salvation is the false gospel of works-based salvation (SELF reformation and perseverance) … (salvation is) God’s immeasurable undeserving unmerited grace.”
Yet God’s saving grace is not given to everyone, right? Right. Why? They refuse to meet His stated conditions. What are those conditions? Repent (Matthew 3:2; 4:17; Luke 13:3, 5; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30, etc.). Believe (Acts 16:31). Abide – which means to remain in Christ to the end (John 15:1-6). God’s Blessings are Conditional, not Un-Conditional
What these grace-perverting heretics are actually teaching is that engaging in an abiding relationship with the Great Savior is somehow “works salvation.”
The man who wrote this obviously views loving and therefore obeying Jesus, the One he claims saved him, as works-salvation. Jesus commands:
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” Matthew 22:37
These are those who are preaching against what they call “Lordship salvation.” Here’s what they are saying…
The 7 “Problems” of So-called “Lordship Salvation” according the grace-perverters.
In the podcast version of this message, we address the “free grace,” “grace only” counterfeits who claim that what they call “Lordship salvation” … They claim that “Lordship salvation” …
- Changes the gospel.
- Places an impossible burden on the unsaved.
- Confuses justification (salvation) with discipleship (service).
- Confuses the result of requirement for salvation.
- Fails to understand salvation has always been by faith alone.
- Ignores the reality of a carnal Christian.
- Destroys the assurance of salvation.
None of these are true. What is needed is the whole testimony of what the full counsel of Scripture reveals about of salvation. The evangelical eternal security crowd is famous for syphoning out a few verses to the exclusion of the whole counsel of God’s Word and ignoring, negating any and all Bible verses that require their personal repentance.
Those who refuse to make Christ the LORD, the Master, the Ruler of their personal lives are the ones balking against any Scripture and minister that indicates that after being saved one must choose to engage in an abiding relationship with the Savior which will always produce good fruit (John 15). That’s the root of this matter. Did your personal responsibility end when Jesus died on the cross? No.
“And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” Matthew 3:10
Easy believism upended …
Jesus taught that if one isn’t bearing good fruit it’s due to his not being rooted in Christ, saved.
“Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” Matthew 7:19
Is that what grace perverters call “lordship salvation” OR is that Bible? Who said those words? What else could they mean except what He stated?
Good fruit is only born out of true relationship and that’s what so many do not want. They want the crown but not the crown Christ commanded. Rebuke and run.
Satan has cross-less, Christ-denying compromising cowards at every level, at every turn. Beware.
They want to say “It is finished” and so nothing is ever required of God for His people (John 19:30). Christ’s redemption work was “finished,” that is the sin debt was “paid in full” to the Father, and yet that doesn’t alter the stated conditions He gave for appropriating His salvation and being in Heaven with Him. In short, His conditions are repentance, faith, and enduring to the end (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Luke 13:3; John 15:6; Acts 17:30; Romans 5:1-2; Ephesians 2:8-10; Hebrews 3:6, 12-15; 10:26-39; Revelation 2:26, etc.). Scripture speaks repeatedly of initial and final salvation. Self-serving counterfeits are famous for perpetrating half-truths and not wanting to know the whole of what God stated concerning their personal responsibility to Him, the Judge of their eternal souls before whom they shall stand in judgment.
Christ’s perfect sacrifice does not negate what He commanded and requires of us AFTER He saves us by His grace where “we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8-10).
The words and works of our lives clearly reveal what’s in our hearts (Matthew 12:34). Those who lack good works do so because they haven’t chosen to have a good heart before the LORD (Luke 8:15). Good works are the fruit of being saved by grace through saving faith (Ephesians 2:8-10).
“For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.” Matthew 16:27
Of these words of Jesus, one brother notes:
“‘Works’ here in this verse ‘praxis’ means acts; the key point is that good or bad, Our acts will be addressed as we ALL shall stand before GOD. Faith without works is dead, meaning that one’s faith is hollow, TRUE FAITH produces GOOD WORKS which come from the cleansed heart.”
Does God have a plan for His people to be holy as He is holy? Yes, He always has, going back to His peculiar people Israel.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2
Those who preach against what they call “Lordship salvation” are 100% from the eternal security, once saved always saved, grace only, type evangelical camp.
“It is not in a doctrine, or a notion or idea, that we find genuine security, assurance. We do not find genuine security in a church, denomination, or religious leader. Security is found only in our relationship with God. In that relationship, we will discover benefits. However, people have historically worshipped the benefits more than the benefactor.” Cedric Fisher
It seems apparent that those who object to what they call “Lordship salvation” seek to justify living carnally, living like those in this fallen world, having little or no difference from the lost. They have no desire, prayer, or study of Holy Scripture concerning the cross – the crucified life – repentance, holiness, judgment, etc. They refuse to be bothered with the cross, the crucified life.
“Grace, Grace, Grace”?
For people who claim to be so strong on grace, this one is befuddling. They are the ones actually preaching another gospel, a gospel whose savior is not powerful enough to make holy those He’s saved, a false god whose grace is not sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Romans 6:14; Psalms 4:3. The cross is clearly missing from their gospel (Galatians 3:3).
While they claim to believe big on the grace of God, they intentionally ignore grace Scripture such as Titus 2:11-14 which states:
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” Titus 2:11-12
According to the above passage, those truly saved by the grace of God are denying self (the cross, the crucified life), denying ungodliness and this world’s lusts and living “soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” as they eagerly await the return of Jesus.
The lawless grace-perverters are those who hate, despise, and attack anything and anyone who suggests, who declares the myriad of Scripture which call for all who “nameth the name of Christ (to) depart from iniquity.”
“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” 2 Timothy 2:19
Can the saved person begin to live in sin and still possess divine saving grace?
“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” Romans 6:1-2
If the truth makes you doubt your salvation, perhaps you don’t have salvation. You only think you do.
Cedric Fisher masterfully writes:
“Salvation is a gift. A gift is not earned. One must have faith to receive the gift. If I give someone a diamond, considered eternal, they did not earn that gift. They do not have eternal possession of the diamond simply because it is eternal. If they are careless, and it is lost or stolen, it remains eternal even though their possession of it was lost due to carelessness.
Thus, the fact that salvation/redemption is eternal does not mean we have eternal possession of it in the temporal realm. Peter stated clearly that salvation is received at the end of our faith—when Christ appears. (1 Peter 1:9)
Furthermore, faith without works is dead. One cannot have workless faith and retain God’s gift. Also, we are ordained for good works (Ephesians 2:10). If you study all the other writings of Paul when he uses the word ‘works,’ you will realize that he is referring to the works of the Mosaic Law. Read the 10th verse to the end of the chapter in Ephesians 2. Consider that the ‘good works’ he refers to in the 10th verse are not of the Mosaic Law.
Accepting God’s gift and then turning back to one’s former lifestyle is piggery. God does not cause piggery nor does he force one against his or her will to remain a lamb. Obedience would be nonexistent if God were a puppeteer. Christ does not say ‘Well done’ to people with good works phobia.
Additionally, apostasy is departing from the faith. One cannot depart from where he or she has not been.
The bottom line (to avoid a small book of many scriptures and clear conclusions) is that individuals have believed the worst lie unleashed by Satan on humanity when they believe redemption cannot be lost in the temporal realm. It is as the lie the serpent told Eve.
The fact is, that the eternal security lie has been largely perpetrated by Calvinism. There are no verses that support it. It is the major reason for the apostasy, and currently the great and final apostasy.
Believing it accuses the one omnipotent God of being incapable of having a godly and obedient people—that in spite of making them new creations, partakers of the Divine Nature, sending the Holy Spirit to dwell in them, giving them His Word, and allowing them access into His presence by prayer, they continue to be corrupt, vile, and willful sinners merely hidden from His view.
Cut-n-paste hermeneutics with verses and snippets of verses snatched away from their actual context can produce any type of heresy.
My testimony is that I was delivered from deep darkness of alcohol, drugs, and other bondage. He did not redeem and deliver me from darkness to spend the rest of my life longing for the light. I was translated into His kingdom—into the light of Christ. There is light in me. The Son set me free indeed. I am not a sinner saved by grace—I was a sinner, now I’m saved by grace.
Grace is not a license to sin. I am not forced to sin daily to keep up with a mythical sin quota. I am to walk in the light as He is in the light (1 John 1:7). Where in God’s Word does it declare that Christ lived in bondage and sinned daily? That is the same goal as the unredeemed ones.
If one’s redemption does not produce Christ-likeness in him or her, it is not redemption (1 John 2:4; 3:10, etc.). It is an attempt to climb into the sheepfold by another route (John 10).
The fact is, God did not promise to keep anyone or anything that is not given fully over to Him. If everyone that claims they have eternal security were committed fully to Him, they would not need, or even reference eternal security, as a benefit. Security is a comfortable emotional feeling—very difficult to maintain. We should follow God’s will even when we do not feel secure.
It is not helpful to cling to or defend a doctrine as if it were an talisman (lucky charm).
It is not in a doctrine, or a notion or idea, that we find genuine security, assurance. We do not find genuine security in a church, denomination, or religious leader. Security is found only in our relationship with God. In that relationship, we will discover benefits. However, people have historically worshipped the benefits more than the benefactor.
I am secure in God because I fully surrender to Him. The OSAS apologists would call that works-based salvation, belief in sinless perfection, establishing self righteousness, and trying to earn my salvation. Thus, they worship their false doctrine and attack the genuine Christ-following disciples.
God requires us to surrender fully to Him—not a doctrine. Our free moral choice will remain until we enter eternity. Any doctrine that denies full surrender, or teaches people that it is not necessary, is not of God.
I oppose and expose such doctrines because I do not wish people to enter eternal hell. On that point, consider that hell is eternal. I was set on the path to eternal hell. It did not mean that I had no choice to continue in sin, yet if I did I’d be cast into hell. I left the path to eternal hell just as people leave the path to eternal heaven. I was not secured to that path, and no one is secured to the path to eternal heaven. We are not riding safely along in a ‘keeping’ zone. We fight the fight and finish the race. We are opposed by the powers of darkness. It’s a war, not a game of checkers. It requires diligence, discernment, praying, godliness, effort, perseverance to the end, et cetera. Denying that is denying God’s Word.”
The eternal security myth debunked as a doctrine of devils.
Abiding
“Fervent in Spirit” [podcast]
“Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;” Romans 12:11
Concerning being “fervent in spirit,” one commentator notes that this means to:
“Maintain zeal to the boiling point.” Dake
“Fervent” – A primary verb; to be hot (boil, of liquids; or glow, of solids), that is, (figuratively) be fervid (earnest): – be fervent.
“Do nothing at any time but what is to the glory of God, and do every thing as unto him; and in every thing let your hearts be engaged.” Adam Clarke
“Never let your zeal flag (lag, drop, tank), maintain the spiritual glow, serve the Lord.” Here we are reminded of the words of Jeremiah 48:10: ‘Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully,'” Believer’s Bible Commentary
Apollos was “fervent in the spirit.”
“This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being FERVENT in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.” Acts 18:25
In all things Christ’s saints are to be “fervent in spirit”:
“Not slothful in business; FERVENT in spirit; serving the Lord;” Romans 12:11
Disciples of Jesus are to have a “fervent mind” toward all saints and ministers of His blessed Gospel:
“And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your FERVENT mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.” 2 Corinthians 7:7
“Fervent prayer” is to be offered to God for other of His saints:
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual FERVENT prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James_5:16
Jesus’ people are to have “fervent charity among” ourselves:
“And above all things have FERVENT charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8
“Fervent heat” will soon consume the wicked who refused the salvation that comes from Christ alone:
“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with FERVENT heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” 2 Peter 3:10
“Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with FERVENT heat.” 2 Peter 3:12
On this biblical topic of fervency, of being “fervent in spirit”, one commentary offers the following:
“2 Peter 3:
To be ‘fervent in spirit’ means to have intense, burning passion, zeal, and enthusiasm for spiritual matters, often linked to serving God, rather than being lukewarm or apathetic. It implies being ‘boiled’ with spiritual energy, actively engaged, and diligent in faith, as described in Romans 12:11, (‘not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord’). It’s a passionate, fiery commitment, distinct from fanaticism, involving earnest application and a deep love for God.
Key aspects:
- Intensity: A deep, glowing, or boiling heat of emotion and dedication.
- Diligence: Not being lazy or half-hearted, but actively applying oneself to spiritual duties.
- Spiritual Zeal: A strong desire and excitement for God’s will, the Gospel, and spiritual growth.
- Source: Often described as being moved by the Holy Spirit, a fire within.
- Biblical Example: Apollos was described as ‘fervent in the spirit’ as he taught diligently about the Lord (Acts 18:25).
- Passionate prayer
- Diligent study of God’s Word
- Active, loving service to others
- Bold witnessing for faith
- Being ‘on fire’ for God, not lukewarm”
Jesus says that those in His church who are “lukewarm” will be spued or rejected (Revelation 3:15-16). What’s the opposite of being “lukewarm”? – being “fervent in spirit.”
“Amen! Don’t let your fire die as the church in Laodicea did! They were neither cold nor hot. They were lukewarm. Comfortable! Indifferent! Their fire for the Lord had gone out. God’s not looking for people who play it safe but people who burn with fire for Him!!!” Karen Cochran
YOUR PRAYER: LORD, make me Yours. Please keep me close to You, NO MATTER what it takes. Break me dear LORD. Let the holy light of Your presence permeate and shine through my inner man. I am Your temple Jesus. Shine Your light on all darkness. I love You my LORD. In Jesus’ name.
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Abiding
It’s not all Going to be Pretty [podcast]
“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” 2 Timothy 2:3
One of Paul’s resumes of the sufferings he endured as an apostle of Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 6:3-10
“3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;
9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;
10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.”
You are His. Cling to Him. The LORD Jesus is going to bring you through, not matter what you face (Deuteronomy 13:4).
“But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. 2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” Isaiah 43:1-2
“Hated”
“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” Matthew 10:22
“Ye shall Laugh”
“And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. 22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.” Luke 6:20-22
“Through much Tribulation”
“Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22
Eternity with Christ, “with Joy”
“For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:12
“To Make them White”
“And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. 33 And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. 34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. 35 And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.” Daniel 11:32-35
“Made white … the wise shall understand”
“Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” Daniel 12:10
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Abiding
Counting the Cost – Following Jesus to the End of Your Life [podcast]
The Cost of Discipleship
“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24
Those who count the cost refuse to count their own life dear to themselves and this is the only way not to be derailed, to finish our course, enduring to the end.
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” Revelation 12:11
Those who balk at and ignore that Jesus says you MUST “endure to the end” to be “saved” into eternal glory, simply do not love Him (Matthew 10:22; 24:13, etc.). Jesus is not worth their life. They were worth His life which He gave for them on the cross, yet the Son of God is not worth giving up their own life in this fleeting world. Counterfeits. These are the frauds who hide behind the eternal security sham.
“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33
EARTHLY FAMILY DOES NOT COME FIRST – THE LORD DOES
By divine design, there’s an order of priority in the Ten Commandments. Here’s the first of the ten:
And the fifth:
“Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” Exodus 20:12
Honoring God supersedes even the love we have for our husband/wife.
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-39
Jesus knew that if we don’t love Him supremely, we will allow other relationships to interfere and circumvent our relationship with Him.
If we don’t hate those other relationships compared to our love for Him, our decisions will be affected, will be to please them and not Him. When we love the LORD supremely, His will takes precedence, priority over all others.
“If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:26
We must love the LORD so much that our love for others is near to being hate in comparison. If we don’t love God supremely, others will without exception, drag us downward and away from Him.
Of this passage in Luke 14, FB Meyer wrote:
“Our love must be greater than the ties of family affection, Luk_14:26; must be greater than our love for our own way, which must be nailed to the Cross, Luk_14:27; must be greater than our love of possessions and property, Luk_14:33. Christ has done more than any other teacher to cement the relationships of human love, but He always asks that they should be subordinated to the claims of God. Oh, for the love that Paul had! See Php_3:8.”
“What a comfort it is to realize that God counted the cost before He set about the task of redemption, whether of a world or of us as individuals. He knew all that it would cost, and surely He did not begin what He cannot complete!”
In Matthew 10, after speaking of the essential of enduring to the end (v22), Jesus gives warning concerning those things most likely to derail and prohibit our enduring to the end in His will.
“And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” Matthew 10:36-37
Of this Adam Clarke wrote:
“He that loveth father or mother more than me – He whom we love the most is he whom we study most to please, and whose will and interests we prefer in all cases. If, in order to please a father or mother who are opposed to vital godliness, we abandon God’s ordinances and followers, we are unworthy of any thing but hell.”
Of Matthew 10:34-42, FB Meyer writes profoundly:
“RECEIVING CHRIST’S REPRESENTATIVES
In Jesus Christ we acquire a new affinity, stronger than that of family ties. When we enter into the family of God we belong to all His children. They are our brethren and sisters in the most intimate sense. See Mat_12:48-50. The new love that floods our nature does not make us less but more tender and sympathetic toward our own kith and kin; but if we are compelled to choose, then we must stand with the children of God, though it should rend us from the old happy family life in which we were nurtured.
As to the closing paragraph, may we not illustrate it thus? When the widow who sustained Elijah at Zarephath entered Paradise, she found herself standing amid the great prophets of Israel. When she asked the attendant angel whether there was not some mistake, he replied, ‘Certainly not. In treating the prophet as you did, you proved yourself to be of the same spirit and temper as he; and it is but right that you should share in the prophet’s reward.’”
To those who are entangled with earthly family, namely unbelievers who are not repenting, it would be spiritually beneficial to get free, to cease your dependence on them and to sever the soul ties and cease basing your emotional well-being on them and how they view you and your decisions. Lay the axe to the root as you denounce false obligation to them. “Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:60). Read Matthew 10.
“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole FAMILY in heaven and earth is named,” Ephesians 3:14-15
Jesus Addressed the Excuses
Jesus addresses excuses, diversions concerning obeying Him, asserting our highest priority – the LORD, not family. The point becomes even clearer – that we are to be captive to the LORD, our “first love,” supremely, and not family (Revelation 2:4-5).
“And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father (wait till parents die). 60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. 61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. 62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:59-62
Jesus further establishes that He is to be supreme in our lives and those who are His – not natural familial bonds. The body of Christ, its members, are our eternal family.
“And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. 28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” Luke 11:27-28
The harshest of biblical truth is the delicacy, the delight of the true disciple of Jesus. He runs to all of it and never from any of it. He embraces the cross, never evading it. He delights in the sword of the Spirit that cuts to the core and carves the image of Christ into his life – into the fabric, the innermost core of who he is in Christ! Christ and Christ alone is his sole identity and he counts not his own life in this world dear unto himself so that he is able to finish his course with great joy – hearing from His Savior the sweetest of all words “Well done, thou good and faithful servant … enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matthew 25:21; Acts 20:24; Romans 8:29; Galatians 2:20; 6:14; 2 Timothy 2:3).
Militancy is essential in our abiding relationship with Christ (Matthew 11:12). Heartfelt love also.
So many today who claim Christ view salvation as something they did in the past and not a present relationship with Christ on His stated terms (John 15; Titus 1:16).
Jesus commands His very own to “endure unto the end” to be “saved,” and unless one becomes deliberate, absolute, militant, he will not make it “unto the end” with Christ (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Mark 9:43-49; 2 Timothy 2:3, etc.). 
“And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage (a messenger to negotiate peace), and desireth conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:25-33
“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 2 Timothy 3:5-7
Striving Lawfully – That is, According to the Rules, the Terms
Denouncing the crippling, corrupting comforts of Laodicea. Grasping for the obedient love of Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-22).
“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.” 2 Timothy 2:3-5
May God bless each of His people to “endure hardness” as good soldiers of Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:3). Take note that “there is no respect of persons with God” (Romans 2:11). The LORD made His servant Jeremiah obey Him on His terms. God never bends or modifies, bends the rules (2 Timothy 2:5). We must not deceive ourselves and must “strive lawfully” which means according to HIS terms, not our own or any other.
“And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.” 2 Timothy 2:5
“Be Not Weary in Well Doing”
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9
SATAN tempting you to give up? Who wins if you do? Where shall you turn? Turning away from God means we are without Him in our life and trials, right? The LORD, who is your Potter, has a plan. He will absolutely bring you through the floods of water and fire! (Isaiah 43:1-2; Jeremiah 18:1-6) After saving us, God has to bring us to an end of ourselves and that happens through “much tribulation” (Acts 14:22; 2 Corinthians 4; 12:7-12, etc.). Read 2 Corinthians 4. When Jesus had fed the flesh of the multitudes, they turned and walked away from the Savior. But…
“Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.” John 6:67-68
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