EPHESIANS 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Salvation would not be by grace if it depended on how well we accomplish, or on what we do. Christ's actions serve as the foundation for our redemption. All we have to do is accept the present!
ROMANS 4:1-4 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
When you say you are giving me a present but demand payment of any kind, no matter how little, it is not a present, rather, it is something I am purchasing at a discount. Something is not a gift just because you buy it on discount. By concept, it is not a present if money is exchanged in any way.
ROMANS 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
There are those who assert that following their set of guidelines is the only way to be in harmony with God, just as there were in Bible times. However, this is not how the New Covenant really teaches.
ACTS 15:5,10-11 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
ROMANS 4:14,16 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
TITUS 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
People who base their redemption on how well you accomplish are not accurately dividing the Scriptures. Certainly, a number of Scriptures provide guidance on what we should do. However, they are guidelines for how to live, not for how to be rescued and join God's family.
Will our behaviors be rewarded or punished in some way? Yes! Word clearly states that. However, it is not through our behaviors that we gain access to God's family and our residence in Heaven, rather, it is through our beliefs in what Jesus did.
SAY THIS: God's redemption is a free gift. I don't have to act to gain it.
