Whatever "tasks" can be associated with "believing the Gospel" are the only "tasks" required. If someone has to scratch their chin while they ponder the mysteries of salvation before they then act in faith and believe - then "scratching their chin" is a part of their salvation, in a sense. But it would obviously be silly to say that such a thing is a "work" that they must do in order to be saved.
Of course, they had to consume carbohydrates and proteins to get the food energy for their brain cells to function in the first place, and before that their parents had to be introduced at Bible College... the list of such "works" is really an endless chain going back to the very foundation of the world when Jesus Christ chose us to be complete in Him in the first place!
Given that chain of events, well, I guess we have to wrestle with those pesky Calvinistic notions again.
We are to respond to the call of Jesus Christ when He bids us, "Come!" Whatever it takes for a person to metaphorically "get out of their chair" and to follow our Lord - then that's what it takes.
The attempt to cloud the issue by adding the whole confused jargon of "repentance is a
work, believing is a
work" is a red herring, IMHO. The fact that they will then add, "baptism is a
work," men wearing short hair and women uncut hair is a
work, wearing hosiery with seams is a
work... etc." to what is "required" for salvation shows their true intentions.
Seeking to achieve "balance" the Calvinist would then go all the way back over to God's plan and foreknowledge.
I prefer to just exist in the "here and now" with real people making real choices that will affect their lives (without completely ignoring all the rest).
Belief in the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the standard of salvation. Jesus shed His blood at Calvary for the remission (
Matthew 26:28) and as a propitiation (
Romans 3:25) for our sins. Propitiation = "atoning sacrifice."
Faith in Jesus Christ (repentance, conversion, whatever you want to call it) is how "the blood is applied" to the door posts and lintels of our hearts.
Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him as righteousness. This accounting was done before Abraham had done anything else other than "Come" (leave Haran).
Over time, Abraham's works gave tremendous testimony to his faith (
James 2:23), but Abraham was counted as "righteous" before those works were accomplished (
Genesis 15:6 and
Romans 4:3-6 and
Galatians 3:6-14).
Oh! I didn't know there was more to that verse...
Count how many times that I've quoted or cited that very passage in this thread. Half a dozen times already? Ten times? Something like that.
And "casting our cares" is another "work" to be added to the long list of "works?"
This is exactly what I been saying, but you've been taking issue with. We simply couldn't do it on our own and there is no way that we can "pay it back." Thus, it is offered freely to all who believe.
Yes, they had to "tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." But, the blood that cleansed them from sin had already been shed. The "remission" of sins was already in effect (
Matthew 26:28).
And they are in fact just the first steps of a life long walk. But the first "step" is faith in the blood of Jesus Christ as the payment for the penalty for our sins. When that faith is utilized, the blood itself is applied.
Are you quoting me accurately here?
If you don't obey the Gospel, you are going to have a fiery end. I guess that is not lovely enough or positive enough to include in a message, huh? lol
Getting into the blood that was shed isn't the most pleasant of topics for many people either, but that's the Gospel.
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