Savior and Lord: The Journey of Grace in a Believer’s Life

One of the most debated topics in Christian theology is the relationship between Jesus as Savior and Jesus as Lord in the life of a believer. The discussion often centers on the concept of Lordship Salvation, which teaches that one must fully submit to the Lordship of Christ at the moment of salvation. While this perspective seeks to emphasize the seriousness of following Christ, it can inadvertently blur the grace-centered nature of salvation, making it seem conditional upon human effort.

From a Christ-centered, grace-oriented perspective, the process of knowing Jesus as Lord is better understood as a journey rather than a prerequisite for salvation. This view emphasizes that salvation is entirely the work of God, and submission to Christ’s Lordship flows as a fruit of His transforming work in the believer’s life.

Jesus is Lord—Always and Forever

It’s important to affirm that Jesus is Lord. His Lordship is not contingent on our acknowledgment of it. Philippians 2:9–11 declares, “God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

This truth stands unshaken. Whether or not we recognize Jesus as Lord at the moment of salvation does not change the reality of His Lordship. However, the question is not about who Jesus is but about how a believer comes to embrace His Lordship in their personal walk with Him.

Salvation by Grace Through Faith

Salvation is a gift of God’s grace, received through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8–9). At the moment of salvation, a person is justified before God because of Christ’s finished work on the cross. There is no precondition of perfect submission or full understanding of Christ’s Lordship in order to be saved.

Romans 10:9–10 says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” This confession is not about fully grasping every implication of Christ’s Lordship but about a simple acknowledgment of who He is—Savior and Lord. It’s a faith response to the gospel, not a declaration of complete surrender in every area of life.

The Journey of Discovering Christ as Lord

While salvation happens in an instant, sanctification is a lifelong journey. As believers grow in their relationship with Christ, they learn to trust Him more deeply and surrender more fully to His Lordship. This process is not one of striving or self-effort but of responding to the Holy Spirit’s work within us.

2 Corinthians 3:18 beautifully describes this transformation: “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” As we behold Jesus, we are changed. This gradual transformation allows us to see more clearly that He is not only Savior but also Lord over every area of our lives.

Grace for the Growing Believer

A Christ-centered, grace-oriented perspective recognizes that new believers may not immediately grasp the fullness of Christ’s Lordship. For many, their first encounter with Jesus is as the Savior who rescues them from sin and death. The realization that He is also the sovereign Lord of their lives often comes later, as they grow in their faith.

Consider the disciples. When Jesus called them to follow Him, they left their nets and obeyed, but their understanding of who He was unfolded over time. Peter, for example, boldly declared Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of the living God” in Matthew 16:16, yet he later denied Him three times. The journey to fully embrace Christ’s Lordship is marked by moments of growth, failure, and deeper understanding.

This grace-centered view allows believers to rest in the assurance that their salvation is secure, even as they learn to submit more fully to Christ in their daily lives.

Avoiding the Pitfalls of Lordship Salvation

While the intention behind Lordship Salvation is often to emphasize the seriousness of following Christ, it can unintentionally place an impossible burden on new believers. By suggesting that complete surrender is required for salvation, this perspective risks turning the gospel of grace into a gospel of works.

Instead, the exchanged life—the life of Christ lived in and through us—reminds us that surrender is not something we achieve by our own strength. It is God who works in us to will and to act according to His good purpose (Philippians 2:13). As we yield to the Holy Spirit, He leads us to a deeper understanding and experience of Christ’s Lordship.

A Parable of Grace

Imagine a young child adopted into a loving family. On the first day, the child knows they belong to their new parents, but they do not yet understand the fullness of what it means to be part of the family. Over time, they experience the love, care, and guidance of their parents. They learn to trust them, to follow their guidance, and to rest in their care. The child was part of the family from the moment they were adopted, but their understanding of what that means deepens with time.

In the same way, believers are fully part of God’s family from the moment of salvation. They are united with Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit, and secure in God’s love. But their understanding of Christ’s Lordship grows as they walk with Him, experiencing His grace and learning to trust Him more fully.

Conclusion: Resting in His Lordship

Jesus is both Savior and Lord, and His work in our lives is a testimony to His grace. Salvation is not contingent on our ability to fully surrender, but surrender flows naturally as we grow in our relationship with Him. The journey of discovering His Lordship is not about striving or earning—it is about resting in the truth that He is faithful to complete the good work He has begun in us (Philippians 1:6).

By focusing on Christ and His sufficiency, we can rest in the assurance that He will lead us to deeper trust and submission, not through demands or burdens, but through His love and grace.

Let us celebrate the freedom we have in Christ, knowing that He is our Savior, our Lord, and our life.