Lot of people out there thinking Jesus requires only lipservice and a changed heart.
Remember that rich guy who didn't give up his riches?
Jesus requires everything. Salvation requires everything.
That means all your efforts, time, resources, thoughts; past, present, future.
Noodle that out. The rich man wasn't "saved" was he. Did he live his life out in wealth and then before he died give all his money away? Did that save him?
Perhaps.
But when Christ called him he denied the Lord. He refused him for the sake of the kingdoms of the world. An entire life then spent in that sin; how many souls might he have influenced had he followed when asked? What is his price of repentance?
Christ requires works. He required it of his Apostles. He required it of almost all he blessed with miracles. He requires it of you.
Peter, "the rock" was charged with building his church.
James & John required to leave their nets and follow him.
The blind man required to wash before his sight restored.
The rich man...
The Israelites passsover
Lot & his family, Samson, David, Moses, Joseph, all had blessing given or taken from them because of actions they chose to take in the name of the Lord or against his name.
Abraham!
Yet, people today say "I am saved" because they confess His name to absolve their sins, yet give nothing of their lives to him in return- or worse, think doing so is of some charity of their heart to the Lord and not required by him.
Yes, Christ died for all; to have the oportunity to embrace the ever lasting. He did not give you grace. It comes with a bargain- a price beyond the reasons He died on the cross. Jesus paid the Father. You must pay the Christ, and what he asks is everything in his name.
The ENTIRE Bible tells this narrative over and over. And there are countless promises recorded in it of God's covenanted gifts to any who will simply do the work.
The idea that Jesus died so therefore "you're good" is a bastardized teaching of the fallen church of the dark ages, when the words of God's prophets were kept secret by "holy" men who interpreted them for the masses. It is the longest lasting lie perpetrated by the very forces who murdered the Holy Prophets who walk as Apostles with Christ.
Sorry gang, but works ARE required. It is a lazy mind that thinks otherwise. The scriptures are full of examples of God requiring works before glory & grace. It isn't a given by the cross.
What is given by the cross is a much deeper doctrine than salvation alone. Yes, it is crucial to it but Christ did not suffer and die for just this. But that is another post.
