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  SAVIOR BUT NOT LORD?
  by A.W. Tozer
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Summary: A.W. Tozer emphasizes the indivisible relationship between
salvation and discipleship, warning against the separation of these two
concepts in the Christian faith.

Topics: "Discipleship", "Salvation"
Scripture References: Matthew 28:19

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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.

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CONTENT
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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.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/aw-tozer/savior-but-not-lord/
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