Does Salvation Require An Obligation?

By David J. Stewart

       Most preachers make light of the Lordship Salvation issue, but it's a serious matter. Either a sinner is obligated to stop sinning to be saved, or else there is no obligation. It cannot be both! Romans 11:6, “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.” This Scripture plainly teaches that salvation cannot be obtained by both works and grace. Many people teach both as a means of salvation; namely, Roman Catholics. There is no eternal salvation is the Vatican or their false church. It is demonic path of unrighteousness to teach the keeping of 7-sacraments as necessary to get to Heaven.

Ray Comfort is an extremely popular evangelist, with his ministries, THE WAY OF THE MASTER and LIVING WATERS. Unfortunately, Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron teach the heresy of Lordship Salvation. False ministers like John MacArthur, Paul Washer, Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron teach that a sinner is OBLIGATED to try really hard to stop sinning to be saved. They errantly understand this to be repentance.

In sharp contrast, Biblical salvation has NO obligation of any kind. The Lord Jesus Christ paid our sin debt. Christ alone bore our burden of sin at Calvary. There is no OBLIGATION upon a person to quit sinning. Eternal life is received, not achieved. Salvation is receiving, not giving. The Lord paid for our sins and freely offers eternal life through faith in His name (Acts 10:43). John 20:31, “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”
 

Galatians 3:24-26 — Ray Comfort Says Student Must Stay in School

Salvation is a matter of a person acknowledging that they are a guilty sinner in need of the Savior. This is exactly what Galatians 3:24-26 teaches, “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” The Old Testament Mosaic Law is a measuring stick that shows us our sinfulness and need for Jesus Christ.

As you just read in Galatians 3:24-26, the Bible likens salvation to a schoolmaster who teaches us how sinful we are and then points us to Christ to be forgiven. Notice carefully that the Bible says the student is “NO LONGER UNDER A SCHOOLMASTER” once he comes to Christ. In Ray Comfort's perverted gospel message, the student is still under a schoolmaster. In Ray Comfort's corrupt gospel, the student would be required to stay in school, complete his homework and pursue advanced learning. Being brought to Christ is insufficient in Ray Comfort's gospel to save a person. According to Mr. Comfort's gospel, the student must continue in school...

On page 1513 of THE EVIDENCE BIBLE, under the section “Questions & Objections,” Ray Comfort addresses the statement: “Because Jesus died on the cross we are forgiven of every sin.” Here’s Ray Comfort’s reply to this statement…

"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." -Matthew 7:15“The forgiveness that is in Jesus Christ is conditional upon ‘repentance towards God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ’ (Acts 20:21). It is a gift that God offers to everyone, but individuals must receive it by repenting and trusting in Christ, or they will remain dead in their sins. No one has Biblical grounds to continue in sin, assuming that they are safe just because Jesus died on the cross. See 1 John 3:4-6.” [Emphasis added]

SOURCE: THE EVIDENCE BIBLE, by Ray Comfort, pg. 1513; 2003, Bridge-Logos Publishers, Orlando, Florida

Galatians 3:24-26 says that the Law's only purpose in salvation is to bring us to Jesus Christ. It is false theology to teach (as Ray Comfort does) that a sinner must keep the Law to come to Christ...

“Merely being sorry for your sins, or confessing them to God won't help you. You must turn from sin (repent).”

SOURCE: LIVING WATERS ministry, SAVE YOURSELF SOME PAIN

This is a false gospel of self-righteousness. Mr. Comfort is teaching that the student cannot come to Christ unless he obeys the Law as a prerequisite. In sharp contrast, The Bible teaches that the student is no longer under the schoolmaster (the Law) once he comes to Christ.

Romans 3:31 says that the Law doesn't become void once we're saved; but rather, we fulfill it. But notice that we are no longer UNDER THE CURSE OF THE LAW. As believers God wants us to keep the Law to please Him, but we are no longer under the Law. We are under God's grace. We have been born-again and our sins washes away by Jesus' blood.

We are saved by trusting upon the Lord Who died, was buried and rose again for our sins (the gospel, 1st Corinthians 15:1-4). Jesus shed His blood to pay for our sins (1st Peter 1:18-19). A sinner is saved by receiving the gospel as payment for their sins. There are no obligations nor strings attached.

“To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” —Acts 10:43


Ray Comfort: Is it Just a Matter of Semantics?

The Evidence Bible Exposed!

Spurgeon DIDN'T Teach Lordship Salvation

Harry Ironside DIDN'T Teach Lordship Salvation


Paul Washer’s Washed-up Gospel

Dr. John R. Rice speaks on worldly Christians  Are they not saved?

Dr. Curtis Hutson speaks on Biblical repentance Must a person stop sinning to be saved?

Paul Washer Calls Soulwinning Baptists 'Stupid'
(Lordship Salvationists... making salvation hard)


Ye Must Be Born Again!

You Need HIS Righteousness!

Believe The Gospel


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