Connecting the Remnant

Does your faith change how you live your everyday life? Or is it simply a belief you hold in your mind, without much impact on your actions? These questions are at the heart of the doctrine of Lordship Salvation and invite us to examine what it truly means to follow Christ as both Savior and Lord.

What is Lordship Salvation?

"Lordship Salvation" is a term that refers to the belief that true faith in Jesus Christ involves accepting Him not only as Savior but also as Lord. It means that when we genuinely come to Christ for salvation, our lives are changed, and we submit to His Lordship over every area of our lives. True salvation is evidenced by a transformed life that bears spiritual fruit. The emphasis is not on works to earn salvation, but on the natural outcome of a heart transformed by God.

The Bible gives numerous examples and teachings that support this view. Let's explore some passages that illustrate the importance of a faith that changes us from the inside out, as well as what it means to bear spiritual fruit.

Faith Without Fruit: A Warning from James

One of the clearest teachings on the importance of spiritual fruit is found in the Book of James. In James 2:14-26, James addresses the concept of living and dead faith. He explains that faith without works is dead, using the example of even demons believing in one God—but their belief does not lead to salvation or transformation. True faith, James argues, must be accompanied by works that demonstrate its genuineness. It’s not that works save us, but they are the evidence of a saving faith.

In these verses, James makes a compelling argument for Lordship Salvation by showing that genuine faith is more than mere belief. It is faith that transforms and produces visible changes in behavior. A person who professes faith in Christ but has no evidence of spiritual fruit is like the fig tree Jesus encountered.

The Cursed Fig Tree: A Sobering Symbol

In Matthew 21:18-22 and Mark 11:12-14, 20-25, we read about Jesus approaching a fig tree looking for fruit. The tree had leaves, which indicated that it should have had fruit, but it was barren. In response, Jesus cursed the tree, and it withered to the root.

This incident serves as a vivid symbol of spiritual barrenness. The fig tree had the appearance of life but lacked fruit. Similarly, a person can appear to be a follower of Christ—attending church, saying the right things—but, upon closer inspection, may be found spiritually barren. The curse of the fig tree serves as a warning: a lack of spiritual fruit is not just a superficial issue; it reveals a deeper problem, one that can lead to spiritual death.

This story is a strong argument for Lordship Salvation because it demonstrates that a mere outward appearance of faith is not enough. Jesus expects true believers to bear fruit, and the absence of that fruit is a sign of spiritual death.

What is Spiritual Fruit?

So, what does it mean to bear spiritual fruit? Galatians 5:22-23 gives us a clear answer by listing the "fruit of the Spirit":

• Love
• Joy
• Peace
• Patience
• Kindness
• Goodness
• Faithfulness
• Gentleness
• Self-control

These characteristics are evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work in a believer's life. They are the traits that grow as we follow Christ and submit to His Lordship. Spiritual fruit is the natural result of a transformed heart, and it stands in contrast to the "works of the flesh," which are listed in Galatians 5:19-21:

• Sexual immorality
• Impurity
• Debauchery
• Idolatry
• Witchcraft
• Hatred
• Discord
• Jealousy
• Fits of rage
• Selfish ambition
• Dissensions
• Factions
• Envy
• Drunkenness
• Orgies

The works of the flesh are the opposite of the fruit of the Spirit. They are the evidence of a life led by selfish desires rather than by the Spirit of God. A true follower of Christ, who has accepted Him as Lord, will see the fruit of the Spirit growing in their life as they continue to walk with Him.

A Thought Experiment: Would You Be Recognized as a Christian?

To help you better understand and apply these concepts to your own life, consider the following thought experiment:

Imagine yourself in this scenario: You've just spent an entire year in a confined space with 19 strangers—no contact with the outside world and limited to interactions within your group. You had access to entertainment and activities, but topics like religion and politics were off the table. It was a test of living in close quarters, forming friendships, facing conflicts, and navigating relationships.

At the end of the year, a man enters and reveals a surprising truth: every second of the past year has been recorded, and everything that each of you did was documented for a reality TV show. This footage will be analyzed by viewers who have watched all your actions, decisions, and attitudes for the past year. They have seen how you responded under pressure, how you treated others, and how you behaved in both the good and challenging moments.

Now, here is the critical question: Would the viewers—people who don't know you personally and who only have your actions over the past year to judge you by—be able to recognize you as a Christian? Would they see evidence of the fruits of the Spirit in you, such as love, patience, kindness, and self-control? Or would your behavior be indistinguishable from those displaying the "works of the flesh"—anger, jealousy, selfish ambition, or dissension?

Reflect on how your faith manifests in your everyday actions:

1. How      did you handle conflicts? When arguments and disagreements arose in      the house, did you seek peace, show patience, and respond with gentleness?      Or did you allow fits of rage and selfish ambition to take over?
2. How      did you treat others? Were you kind, compassionate, and loving toward      everyone, even those who were hard to get along with? Did you put others'      needs before your own, or did you act out of envy or jealousy?
3. What      about self-control? In moments when temptations were present—whether      in the form of entertainment, relationships, or other desires—did you      practice self-control, showing that your actions were led by the Spirit      rather than your flesh?
4. Did      you bring hope and joy? Did people feel uplifted and encouraged in      your presence? Was there an evident sense of joy and peace that came from      knowing Christ, even during stressful times?

The purpose of this thought experiment is to help you consider whether the fruits of the Spirit are clearly evident in your life. The viewers have never heard you preach or declare your beliefs. They only have your actions and attitudes to judge by—your kindness, your love, your patience, your humility, and your willingness to serve others. These are the "spiritual fruits" that show a transformation has taken place in your life because of your relationship with Christ.

Jesus said in Matthew 7:16, "By their fruit you will recognize them." This experiment brings this teaching to life. If you were judged solely by your actions, would others recognize the transformative work of Christ in you? This is a powerful reminder that our faith must be more than words—it must be lived out, visibly bearing the fruit of the Spirit as a result of true salvation.

Conclusion: A Call to Genuine Faith

The doctrine of Lordship Salvation challenges us to examine the genuineness of our faith. Are we merely professing faith in Christ, or are we submitting to Him as Lord and allowing His Spirit to transform us? The Bible makes it clear that true faith results in a changed life—a life that bears spiritual fruit.

The parable of the Sower, the cursing of the fig tree, and the teachings of James all emphasize the importance of fruitfulness in the believer's life. A faith that does not result in a transformed life is like the barren fig tree—ultimately condemned. But a faith that submits to Christ's Lordship, allowing Him to lead and transform, will produce the fruit of the Spirit and bring glory to God.

As you reflect on your own life, consider whether the fruits of the Spirit are evident. Let this be an encouragement to pursue a deeper relationship with Christ, submitting every area of your life to His Lordship, and allowing Him to bring about the transformation that only He can accomplish.

By your fruit, may you be recognized as His.