Savior but Not Lord?
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the indivisible relationship between salvation and discipleship, warning against the separation of these two concepts in the Christian faith.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the inseparable relationship between salvation and discipleship in the New Testament, arguing that they are like Siamese twins that cannot be separated without consequence. He critiques the modern evangelical tendency to view salvation as immediate and automatic while treating discipleship as optional, leading to a misunderstanding of Christ's Lordship. Tozer warns that many Christians accept Jesus as their Savior without acknowledging His authority, neglecting the call to obedience and moral responsibility. This disconnect undermines the full biblical understanding of what it means to follow Christ. He calls for a return to the recognition of Jesus not only as Savior but also as Lord in the lives of believers.
Text
In the New Testament salvation and discipleship are so closely related as to be indivisible. They are not identical, but as with Siamese twins they are joined by a tie which can be severed only at the price of death.
Yet they are being severed in evangelical circles today. In the working creed of the average Christian salvation is held to be immediate and automatic, while discipleship is thought to be something optional which the Christian may delay indefinitely or never accept at all.
It is not uncommon to hear Christian workers urging seekers to accept Christ now and leave moral and social questions to be decided later. The notion is that obedience and discipleship are unrelated to salvation. We may be saved by believing a historic fact about Jesus Christ (that He died for our sins and rose again) and applying this to our personal situation. The whole biblical concept of Lordship and obedience is completely absent from the mind of the seeker. He needs help, and Christ is the very one, even the only one, who can furnish it, so he takes Him as his personal Savior. The idea of His Lordship is completely ignored.
Sermon Outline
- The Relationship Between Salvation and Discipleship
- The Working Creed of the Average Christian
- The Notion that Obedience and Discipleship are Unrelated to Salvation
- Salvation is Held to be Immediate and Automatic
- Discipleship is Thought to be Optional
- The Biblical Concept of Lordship and Obedience is Ignored
- Christ is the Only One Who Can Furnish Help
Key Quotes
“They are not identical, but as with Siamese twins they are joined by a tie which can be severed only at the price of death.” — A.W. Tozer
“The whole biblical concept of Lordship and obedience is completely absent from the mind of the seeker.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- Recognize the essential connection between salvation and discipleship in the Christian faith.
- Understand that obedience and Lordship are integral to a complete understanding of salvation.
- Accept Christ as both Savior and Lord, rather than separating these two concepts.