[OneAccord]

We are saved by grace. Nothing we do "earns" salvation. Obedience to God's Word is our reponse to His grace.

Its like this... I recieved a Lowes gift certificate in the mail a few months ago. I went to Lowes one Friday and bought a new 14.4 volt drill. I gave them the gift certificate and, because the drill was on sale, I got it for FREE. Didn't cost me a dime. Lowes gift certificate was "grace". I put the drill in the back of my truck and drove home where I promptly forgot about the drill. It stayed in the back of the truck until Monday and, of course it rained all weekend. The drill was ruined. Soaked through. it rusted and I never got to use it. If I would have just "obeyed" common sense and put the drill in the shop, I'd still be using it. But, I didn't obey. I didn't do the "work" of taking care of my free gift.

Jesus paid the price for our salvation. In His mercy and grace, He provided the means for us to be redeemed. All we need to do...is obey what His Word requires of us to maintain our salvation. No we, don't work to get saved... we work (and obey) because we are saved.