IT IS THE LORD JESUS WHO SAVES THE LOST!

For as long as I can remember, "guardians of the Bible truth" (salvation is not by works, but solely by God's grace), have fought tooth and nail against so-called "Lordship Salvation!"  According to them, to recognize that Jesus is God manifest in the flesh (Isa. 9:6; Jn. 1:1, 14; 1 Tim. 3:16; 1 Jn. 1:2; etc.)  is some sort of works, and yet, the Bible clearly teaches Jesus Christ is Lord (He is addressed as Lord in 179 New Testament verses)!  I suppose, in a misinterpretation of John 6:28-29, one might even say that "believing is works"; John wrote:  "Then said they unto Him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?  Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him Whom He hath sent."  However, in order to say that, they have to ignore the many passages which say that salvation is by faith alone (Rom. 3:27-28; 11:6; 2 Tim. 1:9; etc.)!

Don't get me wrong; I fully understand their concern that most people who claim to be Christians, somehow believe that their "good works must out-weigh bad works (sin)" in order to be accepted into God's heaven.  In reality, people who hold that view of Christianity, are no different than those who are trusting in any other religion; to them, it is simply one of the many paths by which one can earn his or her salvation.  It is hard for me to believe, however, that a person claiming to be a Christian, can believe there are many ways to heaven; after all, Jesus said, "I AM The Way, The Truth, and The Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me" (Jn. 14:6 - emphasis mine)! 

Whenever and wherever Christ is preached, He should always be identified as Lord!  All New Testament authors identified Jesus Christ as Lord:

*  Matthew wrote in Mt. 17:4 - "Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here:  if Thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for Thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias."
*  Mark wrote in Mk. 11:3 - "And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither."
*  Luke wrote in Acts 4:33 - "And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all."
*  Paul wrote in Rom. 10:9 - "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."
*  The writer of Hebrews wrote in Heb. 13:20-21 - "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to Whom be glory forever and ever.  Amen."
*  James wrote in Jam. 2:1 - "My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons."
*  Peter wrote in 1 Pet. 1:3 - "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."
*  Jude wrote in Jude 1:23 - "Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."
*  John wrote in Rev. 22:20-21 - "He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."

EVEN THE THIEF ON THE CROSS CALLED JESUS LORD!