With some new visitors coming to the site, I just want to remind everyone that the gift of eternal life is received very simply by faith alone. This is supported clearly throughout the New Testament.
Romans 3:28
Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
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.
Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
God made salvation simple because He loved the world, desiring all to be saved.
1 Timothy 2:4
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
Yet many people reject the gift, instead offering their own “righteousness” to God.
Romans 10:3
For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
Their hearts are veiled because of self-righteousness, thinking that they can attain to the glory of God by following the law of Moses.
2 Corinthians 3:15
But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
People like that are always learning, always “improving” themselves, yet never resting in what Christ has accomplished for us.
2 Timothy 3:7-8
Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
John tells us that it is possible to KNOW that we have eternal life.
1 John 5:13
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
The “knowledge of the truth” that we must arrive at is the knowledge that Christ has utterly defeated sin and redeemed His sheep once and for all.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Anyone preaching a “gospel” other than this is under a curse and should be avoided.
Galatians 1:8-9
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
Once you have placed your faith in Christ apart from your own works, you are eternally secure in His hand.
John 10:28-29
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
Romans 8:38-39
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Ephesians 1:13-14
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
So how do we live after receiving eternal life? By solemnly obeying rules? By striving for self mastery? No, by faith.
Habakkuk 2:4
Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
Romans 1:17
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Galatians 3:11
But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
Hebrews 10:38
Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.