Easy Believism Versus Lordship Salvation.

Easy Believism Versus Lordship Salvation.

REFERENCE SCRIPTURES; Acts 2:37, Acts 2:41-42, Isaiah 12:3, Romans 8:16.

• What is Easy Believism?

Billy Graham defined it as the mindset people have which makes them believe in God and do good works so they can go to Heaven. Easy believism simply put; is when people come to church without feeling guilty of their sins, or being burdened by it, not to mention repenting of their sins. They do not have a desire to reconcile to God and often have a mental assent to the facts of the Gospel.

The goal of Easy Believism is convenience of recruiting men to the church and desire for statistics. Easy believism also may arise from the way in which one “receives Christ” during the point of gospel invitation. This is usually common with the style where the congregation is told to raise their hands, come forward and say a few words of prayers to receive salvation.

• The components of public repentance in the Bible especially during Peter’s sermon after Pentecost includes:

1. Conviction, repentance, godly sorrow for sins and the fruit of righteousness.

These foundations are extremely crucial for every disciple of Christ, the Christian values we saw in the time of old was effective because these foundations for salvation were fully active. You cannot just continue to attend a Church until you feel it is time to join the choir or join the organist without repentance that yields the fruit of righteousness. Acts 2:37, Acts 2:41-42.

2. There was also joy of sins forgiven and they gladly received the word; Isaiah 12:3.

3. One can be saved despite coming forward publically and saying words of prayers.

The danger is that it can be a trap into the doctrine of easy believism which may give the church attendees (not believers now) a false assurance of salvation without the fruit of righteousness.

4.  No pastor has the right to declare a penitent saved. The right of declaring a PENITENT saved is an exclusive right of the HOLY SPIRIT. Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.

5. This starts at the point of salvation and continues throughout the believer’s journey.

That you are saved by raising your hands does not mean it should be endorsed or turned into a doctrine.

Evangelists like Billy Graham used that method because it was convenient; the meetings needed a statistics to back up reports but it was not a biblical method. Luke 3:8, Hebrew 6:1

6. The challenge is that Bill Graham’s sermons generated conviction in the hearts so we may have people saved despite the raising of hands but it is hardly so nowadays where you have dry eyes and the PENITENT chewing gum as he or she comes forward.

Their sermons were baptized in tears in prayers which is hardly so today.

As a case study, what do you think is the cause of the massive immorality in the modern church and especially among the choristers in the church?

Is it because of the pastor?

 By allowing some goats  to jump through the fence and not enter through the sheep gate (Christ) which affords goats to be transformed to sheep; 2 Corinthians 5:17

• Historical Perspective of Easy Believism and Lordship Salvation

Before we proceed, let us define the latter- Lordship salvation. It is belief that only those that are convicted by their sins, burdened by their sins, repented of their sins and reconciled to Christ will truly believe unto salvation.

God not only forgives them of their sins but also changes them from the inward out by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.

As a Christian leader, never make the mistake of taking a goat to be a sheep because the goat attends your denomination or sings in choir; John 10:1

This does not mean a sinless perfection but the desire is changed from goat to sheep to follow God walking in the PATH OF LIFE.

Historically, the doctrine of raising up of hands which may lead to Easy Believism is a product of the revivalism among American Christians some hundreds of years ago.

Especially during the time of Charles Finney to the present day. Adherents of Easy Believism often justify it using the standpoint of salvation by faith apart from works; John 3:16,19

If anyone holds a position in church and still loves sin, he is in darkness and in error of Easy Believism.

We know the church to be hospital for sinners and not a museum for the saints; Matthew 11:28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

The burden here is in the context of sin, sin is burdensome and will eventually crush the sinner under it weight

THERE IS NO SINNING SAINT.

If you love your sin and you are not willing to be free, you do not know God at all; 1 John 3:6-9.

A Christian may fall into sin but he must not practice and willingly remain in it.

To avoid falling into sin, take your devotional and fellowship life seriously for the spiritual life rises and falls through fellowship and devotion or lack of it.

• In conclusion, Heavenly Father please keep us in the narrow road and help us not to fall into error regardless of the authority in church that endorses it in Jesus name Amen.