By Pastor Bruce Oyen
E-mail: bk_oyen@hotmail.com
The question of whether or not one can receive Jesus Christ as Savior without also receiving Him as Lord is much-debated question these days. Romans 10:9 & 10 are classic Biblical statements about what one must do to be saved, and what one must believe to be saved. The verses say, "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." (New KJV)
William MacDonald is a highly-respected author of many books on Biblical subjects, all written from a rock-solid conviction that the Bible is, indeed, the inspired and infallible Word of God. One of his most popular works is the "Believer's Bible Commentary,' which is a 1-volume commentary on the entire Bible. It is endorsed by many persons, including Warren Wiersbe and John MacArthur. A good comment on Romans 10:9 & 10 can be found in this commentary. Here is part of what it says on these verses:
"It is a personal appropriation of the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is saving faith. The question often arises, 'Can a person be saved by accepting Jesus as Savior without also acknowledging Him as Lord?' The Bible gives no encouragement to anyone who believes with mental reservations: 'I'll take Jesus as my Savior but I don't want to crown Him Lord of all.' On the other hand, those who make submission to Jesus as Lord a condition of salvation must face the problem, 'To what degree must he be acknowledged as Lord?' Few Christians would claim to have made an absolute and complete surrender to Him in this way. When we present the gospel, we must maintain that faith is the sole condition of justification. But we must also remind sinners and saints constantly that Jesus Christ is Lord (Jehovah God), and should be acknowledged as such."
"It is a personal appropriation of the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is saving faith. The question often arises, 'Can a person be saved by accepting Jesus as Savior without also acknowledging Him as Lord?' The Bible gives no encouragement to anyone who believes with mental reservations: 'I'll take Jesus as my Savior but I don't want to crown Him Lord of all.' On the other hand, those who make submission to Jesus as Lord a condition of salvation must face the problem, 'To what degree must he be acknowledged as Lord?' Few Christians would claim to have made an absolute and complete surrender to Him in this way. When we present the gospel, we must maintain that faith is the sole condition of justification. But we must also remind sinners and saints constantly that Jesus Christ is Lord (Jehovah God), and should be acknowledged as such."
I believe William MacDonald's statement on this subject is right, for it maintains the right balance of the truths involved in the subject.
The "Believer's Bible Commentary" is available from many sources.To take a look-see at this commentary, click on the following link: http://www.christianbook.com/believers-bible-commentary-william-macdonald/9780840719720/pd/19728?product_redirect=1&Ntt=19728&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP
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