The Cross of Christ Alone Can Save

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by jfrog

A true three stepper must believe that you are going to hell. There is no way around it. Happily I don't think there will be too many true three steppers stand up.

I'll be interested to see. Either the steps are a big deal or they're not.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

Looking from this perspective we see an overlooked aspect of the grace of YAH.

12: Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13: For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13

God is working in us and through us. Yet we are working! The overcomer has been "joined to the Lord" and they are one spirit.

Michael! You were so close! I'm disappointed in this backsliding of yours.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by pelathais

The thing that contrasts James 2:23-24 with Paul's writings in Romans 4 and Galatians 3:6-8, is that James is skipping all the way down to include Genesis 22, in his discussion. Paul is just focusing on what God did and said in Genesis 15.

I believe that God was introducing the line that Jesus would come through in Gen 15 and 22, which must begin at faith. He separated Abraham from his father's people and brought him to a land that he wanted him to inherit. (Gen. 15:7) Told him a bit of the future, which Abraham could not have understood at the time. (Gen. 15:14)

Wasn't that awesome that God brings Joseph to the very place that Gen. 15:14 is speaking of, elevates Joseph to a place of authority in order to bring his people to where he is, allows them to fall into bondage to Egypt and then sets them free - just like He said he would? But, I digress. lol

So we look at the "faith chapter" in Hebrew 11:

"By faith Abel offered..."

"By faith Noah,... prepared an ark...."

"By faith Abraham...obeyed; and he went out,..."

"By faith Moses...refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God..."

"By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. "

"By faith the harlot Rahab...received the spies with peace."

Rahab - did her faith save her? Not alone. Her obedience by putting that scarlet cord in the window, coupled with faith, brought her salvation.

Do I think our faith alone saves us? No, but our faith coupled with our obedience. - Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. That is a work of obedience.

The point that "One Steppers" tend to want to make is that God has done something in our lives that we were helpless to do for ourselves (our "Genesis 15" experience). Both Paul and James (and everybody else, for that matter) do go on to emphasize the "Genesis 22" experience; but I ("One Steppers" i general) feel that it is still vital to keep reminding ourselves that it was God's grace that got us started on this journey and really it is the same grace that will keep us going.

I hate using these terms! LOL! Three-Steppers have never overlooked the beauty of God's grace and mercy. We understand that we are helpless to do anything for ourselves to make ourselves righteous. It is His Spirit that dwells in us that does the work. We understand that having begun in the Spirit, we are not made perfect by our flesh. (Gal 3:3) That means that we also understand God's grace started us on this journey and will perform a good work in us until the day of Jesus Christ. (Phil. 1:6)

As a "dyed in the wool One Stepper," I believe like the other "dyed in the wool One Steppers" believe - that secretly all "Three Steppers" are actually "One Steppers" in their heart. LOL.

LOL! If it was secretly, I would be a liar. I may be a lot of things, but I'm not a liar. I'm just a "dyed in the wool Three-Stepper"! - guilty as charged!

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by notofworks

I'll be interested to see. Either the steps are a big deal or they're not.

"Steps" are kind of a big deal, even though the word appears in the English KJV and other related translations only a few times, and never in any kind of description of salvation except possibly:

Romans 4:12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.

Romans 4:13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

Here we are told to follow the "steps" of Abraham. But we are admonished to do so, not in order to "earn" or to prove that we "deserve" salvation; but because we (like Abraham) are counted righteous at that point early on when we believe God's promises. God Himself counts us as "righteous" when we believe. I wouldn't want to argue with that:

Romans 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I believe that God was introducing the line that Jesus would come through in Gen 15 and 22, which must begin at faith. He separated Abraham from his father's people and brought him to a land that he wanted him to inherit. (Gen. 15:7) Told him a bit of the future, which Abraham could not have understood at the time. (Gen. 15:14)

Wasn't that awesome that God brings Joseph to the very place that Gen. 15:14 is speaking of, elevates Joseph to a place of authority in order to bring his people to where he is, allows them to fall into bondage to Egypt and then sets them free - just like He said he would? But, I digress. lol

So we look at the "faith chapter" in Hebrew 11:

"By faith Abel offered..."

"By faith Noah,... prepared an ark...."

"By faith Abraham...obeyed; and he went out,..."

"By faith Moses...refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God..."

"By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. "

"By faith the harlot Rahab...received the spies with peace."

Rahab - did her faith save her? Not alone. Her obedience by putting that scarlet cord in the window, coupled with faith, brought her salvation.

The writer of Hebrews begins this passage by defining just what faith is:

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

Whatever saving "faith" is, it apparently doesn't include the things that we can see. We can see an offering on an altar and we can see the scarlet cord hanging from Rahab's window (or at least the spies saw that). These are material things.

In each case listed in Hebrews 11, however, the "hero of faith" mentioned is said to have done something that could NOT be seen nor observed because it was entirely a matter of the heart. Something unseen was at work. This thing was unseen because it didn't even exist outside the heart yet. It was hope - it was faith! It was the belief that despite present appearances the one who had hope believed that God is and that He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).

In the end, that is what actually "saved" every individual mentioned in the chapter. They weren't saved by scarlet cords, walls or any other tangible thing.

This faith caused them to make important choices that affected their lives and the lives of others; but they were saved by their faith, not by their actions.

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Do I think our faith alone saves us? No, but our faith coupled with our obedience. - Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. That is a work of obedience.

I feel that we have to remind ourselves just now that it is God Who saves us, and not we ourselves. Salvation is the gift of God, not of works lest any of us should boast. (Ephesians 2:8).

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I hate using these terms! LOL! Three-Steppers have never overlooked the beauty of God's grace and mercy. We understand that we are helpless to do anything for ourselves to make ourselves righteousness. It is His Spirit that dwells in us that does the work. We understand that having begun in the Spirit, we are not made perfect by our flesh. (Gal 3:3) That means that we also understand God's grace started us on this journey and will perform a good work in us until the day of Jesus Christ. (Phil. 1:6)

With respect, you overlooked mentioning God as the source of salvation in the paragraph previous to this one (bolded above).

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

LOL! If it was secretly, I would be a liar. I may be a lot of things, but I'm not a liar. I'm just a "dyed in the wool Three-Stepper"! - guilty as charged!

I have hope...

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by pelathais

The writer of Hebrews begins this passage by defining just what faith is:

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

Whatever saving "faith" is, it apparently doesn't include the things that we can see. We can see an offering on an altar and we can see the scarlet cord hanging from Rahab's window (or at least the spies saw that). These are material things.

In each case listed in Hebrews 11, however, the "hero of faith" mentioned is said to have done something that could NOT be seen nor observed because it was entirely a matter of the heart. Something unseen was at work. This thing was unseen because it didn't even exist outside the heart yet. It was hope - it was faith! It was the belief that despite present appearances the one who had hope believed that God is and that He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).

But, they did "see" their actions accompanying their faith. They just didn't always see God's. Hebrews 11:1 means, to me, that they don't always understand, but having faith - they obey.

Abraham didn't understand everything, didn't think he could have a son, did not quite understand all that was promised, but he walked by faith. Walking is an act of obedience - Walking by faith is an act of obedience accompanied by faith.

Noah did not see a flood, but by faith he built an ark to the saving of his house.

That is what I believe Hebrews 11:1 is speaking of.

In the end, that is what actually "saved" every individual mentioned in the chapter. They weren't saved by scarlet cords, walls or any other tangible thing.

This faith caused them to make important choices that affected their lives and the lives of others; but they were saved by their faith, not by their actions.

Would Noah have saved his house if he had not built an ark? Didn't his faith cause him to obey and build an ark? He was given instructions. Didn't Abraham leave Ur of the Chaldees by obedience because of his faith? He was given instructions.

We are given instructions to repent and be baptized.

I feel that we have to remind ourselves just now that it is God Who saves us, and not we ourselves. Salvation is the gift of God, not of works lest any of us should boast. (Ephesians 2:8).

With respect, you overlooked mentioning God as the source of salvation in the paragraph previous to this one (bolded above).

You know where the free gift comes into play?

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)

"How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Hebrews 9:14)

"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." (John 3:16)

These scriptures simply tell us what he freely and willingly did for us. They are never meant to intimate that there is nothing to respond to or obey. If that were true, John would not have preached a "baptism of repentance", Peter would not have preached what he did on the Day of Pentecost, and God would not have told Cornelius to send for Peter.

I have hope...

That's all I have for tonight. I have to meet with my lawyer tomorrow, so I need to get some shut eye in order to think in the morning. (lol) I like to watch how clever he thinks he is and how he "thinks" that I think it also. I normally cut him off and say, "So, what's up?" That's my little way of actually saying - "Get to the point, I'm busy and so are you."

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

But, they did "see" their actions accompanying their faith. They just didn't always see God's.

Nor could they (or we!) "see God's" action when He counts us "righteous." There's nothing really to see any how (at least in this world).

Abraham was "accounted righteous" by God long before he ever acted upon his willingness to sacrifice his son.

The only verb that describes Abraham's actions in Genesis 15:6 is "believed." God's immediate response to that "action" is to count Abraham "righteous."

We are told to emulate this act of believing and to expect the exact same response from God (Galatians 3:6-14).

Whatever else that may happen in our lives will also require faith; however to be "justified" - that is, to have our sins forgiven and to be declared "righteous" in God's own eyes requires only faith in the provision that Jesus Christ has made for those sins at Calvary.

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Hebrews 11:1 means, to me, that they don't always understand, but having faith - they obey.

Abraham didn't understand everything, didn't think he could have a son, did not quite understand all that was promised, but he walked by faith. Walking is an act of obedience - Walking by faith is an act of obedience accompanied by faith.

Noah did not see a flood, but by faith he built an ark to the saving of his house.

That is what I believe Hebrews 11:1 is speaking of.

I take it for what it says, and I think that certainly includes what you've mentioned, but the connection between Genesis 15:6; Romans 4 and Galatians 3:6-14; can't be left out.

God accounts us righteous because of our belief in the saving power of the cross.

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Would Noah have saved his house if he had not built an ark? Didn't his faith cause him to obey and build an ark? He was given instructions. Didn't Abraham leave Ur of the Chaldees by obedience because of his faith? He was given instructions.

We are given instructions to repent and be baptized.



You know where the free gift comes into play?

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)

"How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Hebrews 9:14)

"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." (John 3:16)

These scriptures simply tell us what he freely and willingly did for us. They are never meant to intimate that there is nothing to respond to. If that were true, John would not have preached a "baptism of repentance", Peter would not have preached what he did on the Day of Pentecost, and God would not have told Cornelius to send for Peter.

Yes, those Scriptures tell us what Jesus freely and willingly did for us. However, the word "free" also comes before us in Romans 5:15-19.

You keep going back to the requirement for the Christian believer to be obedient to God's commands, and you'll get no argument from me about that. However, this thread is about how "The Cross and the Cross Alone Can Save..."

What obedience is required for salvation? For our salvation?

Romans 5:19 - "... by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous."

Whose obedience is in mind here? Yours? Mine? No!

We are all made righteous by the obedience of a single individual. It was His obedience and His obedience alone that saves us. We are saved by "the obedience of one!"

Romans 11:5-6 clearly demands us to accept that this free gift comes without any "works" on our part.

Paul seems to be telling us, "it's one or the other" in Romans 11:5-6. It's either "grace" or it's "works." For whatever reason, he seems to come down rather heavily on the "grace" side of things.

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

That's all I have for tonight. I have to meet with my lawyer tomorrow, so I need to get some shut eye in order to think in the morning. (lol) I like to watch how clever he thinks he is and how he "thinks" that I think it also. I normally cut him off and say, "So, what's up?" That's my little way of actually saying - "Get to the point, I'm busy and so are you."

Have a great day tomorrow, or "today" if that's when you see this. But then again, still have a great tomorrow whenever that gets here.

[TheLegalist]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I believe that God was introducing the line that Jesus would come through in Gen 15 and 22, which must begin at faith. He separated Abraham from his father's people and brought him to a land that he wanted him to inherit. (Gen. 15:7) Told him a bit of the future, which Abraham could not have understood at the time. (Gen. 15:14)

Wasn't that awesome that God brings Joseph to the very place that Gen. 15:14 is speaking of, elevates Joseph to a place of authority in order to bring his people to where he is, allows them to fall into bondage to Egypt and then sets them free - just like He said he would? But, I digress. lol

So we look at the "faith chapter" in Hebrew 11:

"By faith Abel offered..."

"By faith Noah,... prepared an ark...."

"By faith Abraham...obeyed; and he went out,..."

"By faith Moses...refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God..."

"By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. "

"By faith the harlot Rahab...received the spies with peace."

Rahab - did her faith save her? Not alone. Her obedience by putting that scarlet cord in the window, coupled with faith, brought her salvation.

Do I think our faith alone saves us? No, but our faith coupled with our obedience. - Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. That is a work of obedience.




I hate using these terms! LOL! Three-Steppers have never overlooked the beauty of God's grace and mercy. We understand that we are helpless to do anything for ourselves to make ourselves righteous. It is His Spirit that dwells in us that does the work. We understand that having begun in the Spirit, we are not made perfect by our flesh. (Gal 3:3) That means that we also understand God's grace started us on this journey and will perform a good work in us until the day of Jesus Christ. (Phil. 1:6)



LOL! If it was secretly, I would be a liar. I may be a lot of things, but I'm not a liar. I'm just a "dyed in the wool Three-Stepper"! - guilty as charged!

TEACH IT, TEACH IT, TEACH IT! MENTAL ASSENT ALONE MEANS SQUAT! E
FAITH MUST HAVE A WITNESS and it MUST be COMPLETED thus it has a directive! Faith alone cannot nor ever did save as it is a false meaning applied to what TRUE FAITH IS! He became the source/author of our salvation/faith to them THAT OBEY HIM! Salvation is synergistic in realization/fullfilment and monergistic in source.

[TheLegalist]

Originally Posted by pelathais

Nor could they (or we!) "see God's" action when He counts us "righteous." There's nothing really to see any how (at least in this world).

LOL!

Abraham was "accounted righteous" by God long before he ever acted upon his willingness to sacrifice his son.

again your FALSE understanding of which I have pointed our multiple times of which you IGNORE! The scripture WAS FULFILLED that He believed that Lord and HE accounted IT(faith) to him as righteousness or just.


James clearly point that Gen 15:6 is seen as whole of Abraham's like thus a narrative looking at how in WHOLE he responded by the narrator, NOT JUST A MOMENT IN TIME! Also WHO SAID God did not see a response of Abraham upon his promise? Abraham could have moved away thus turning away not believing his resulting action TO ABIDE as God said in the land and other things could attest/witness his faith. HOW did Abraham receive the promise? BY TESTING OF WHICH HE OBEYED not by some mental assent to knowledge of promise. Was Abraham seen "aright" in deed or response before Gen 17? Yes by his moving and also his response to abide where God told him to in the very NEXT FEW VERSES. Notice Abraham continued to DO God's will the right after the the narrative comment of which "believed" would include which those actions would have been in view. THUS HE WAS STILL ABIDING!
WHICH WAS A WITNESS! Thus he believed in the view of the whole shows in the very next verses HE HAD FAITH WHICH WAS FULFILLED IN ISAAC!

Gen 15:9 He said to him, "Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon."
Gen 15:10 And he brought him all these, cut them in half, and laid each half over against the other. But he did not cut the birds in half.
Gen 15:11 And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away.
Gen 15:12 As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell on Abram. And behold, dreadful and great darkness fell upon him.


Did God judge his actions here? Yes, because God made covenant with ABraham concerning the land? Why because he obeyed in Gen 12 to do what God said thus the resulting action of judgment was covenant unto abraham by Godin Gen 15. Did Abrham believe God? Yes and the very next vs show he continued to be judged faithful to do God's will. Thus he "believed" within view of what the narrator sees as "believed" and in which the narrator would KNOW was judged "righteous".

The only verb that describes Abraham's actions in Genesis 15:6 is "believed." God's immediate response to that "action" is to count Abraham "righteous."

Again you fail the text. The FAITH was judged of which James says it was fulfilled at the offering of ISAAS. Thus "believed" is a matter of view of what is REFERENCED! It is a break in the story of what GOD said and the narrator commenting on WHAT WOULD HAPPEN as a RESULT of God say what he "wanted" to do. Thus "believed" is a view of the WHOLE not "JUST" a single moment in time. Did Abraham believe at that moment? YES but what was "considered" righteous? According to James HIS ACTION not just mental assent" GOd cannot judge until it has a WITNESS! Thus the WHOLE point of God considered/ajudged "IT" FAITH/RESPONSE as RIGHTEOUS or JUST. How? By him abiding and doing just as WE ARE JUDGED FRIENDS John 15 cf

Gen 22:16 and said, "By myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son,
Gen 22:17 I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies,
Gen 22:18 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice."

which was true of the land coventant as well. He obeyed God's word in Gen 12 and God rewarded his faith in Gen 15 in covenant. continuing on....

Gen 26:4 I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed,
Gen 26:5 because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws."

Joh 15:6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.
Joh 15:7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
Joh 15:8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
Joh 15:9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.
Joh 15:10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.
Joh 15:11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
Joh 15:12 "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
Joh 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
Joh 15:14 You are my friends if you do what I command you.

Jas 2:20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?
Jas 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified(judged/considered aright) by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar?
Jas 2:22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works;
Jas 2:23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"--and he was called a friend of God.

We are told to emulate this act of believing and to expect the exact same response from God (Galatians 3:6-14).

correct which is about his life. The works of the law is not talking about about God judging our actions right to obtain life or you are saying Jesus is against Paul in John 15. His points of the law are about sacrifice and circumcision without reliance upon HE who would come to fulfill the law in our hearts which is the same law by which he was judged and a perfect sacrifice and faithful as will we also be judged to have abided and thus faithful. Thus is the work HE DOES IN US BY OUR RESPONSE NOT UNTO OR BYTHE FLESH BUT BY HIS SPIRIT! Thus if you rely on the letter to know and apply strictly you will be judged by the letter and will fail because flesh is difficult discern the application of it. If you live by the law/leading of the Spirit/Jesus which confirms the proper intenrt or application letter you will live why we won't negate law but fulfill it properly. The problem is the attempt to lead a life by our understanding unto righteousness, not what the letter was but the perception by the flesh to know God's will unto application of which the Pharisees FAILED and negated the weightier matters for others. We must exceed there righteousness. Jesus is the perfected law manifested of which the LAW bears witness to the righeousness of Christ. Which it will alos bear witness to us as well through the Spirit. Is John 15 also letter or commandment? YES!

Whatever else that may happen in our lives will also require faith; however to be "justified" - that is, to have our sins forgiven and to be declared "righteous" in God's own eyes requires only faith in the provision that Jesus Christ has made for those sins at Calvary.

NO it takes RESPONSE to the provision. Mental assent to the provision does squat!

To be reconciled one must respond to the provisions and way by which GOD can adjudge you right at heart to OBTAIN atonement! We stand before God at baptism to be circumcised FROM the body of sin by FAITH IN THE WORKING OF GOD! Col 2 cf Romans 6 That is to come INTO covenant/abide in Christ. By which we continue to abide by KEEPING HIS COMMANDMENTS! BY which in the end we will be judged "faithful" just as Abraham to OBTAIN the promise.

[TheLegalist]

I take it for what it says, and I think that certainly includes what you've mentioned, but the connection between Genesis 15:6; Romans 4 and Galatians 3:6-14; can't be left out.

You negate as usual Pauls selective point to the negation of James and all the rest of scripture. God can only judge by witness. Which is the point of Judgement by deeds at the end. Either unto life or condemnation. Did you abide as a faithful servant unto NO condemnation or unto the flesh by which you will die. You saying God's judgment and how he judged all throughout the OT changes... IT DOES NOT! God consistently looked on the heart by it's WITNESS!

God accounts us righteous because of our belief in the saving power of the cross.

God considers/judges our response just or not to obtain atonement. Belief is not doing the will of God not mental assent.

Mat 5:23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,
Mat 5:24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Atonement is only valuable unless you heart is turned to him wholly. Of which the Spirit will bear witness with your heart unto life or judgment.

Yes, those Scriptures tell us what Jesus freely and willingly did for us. However, the word "free" also comes before us in Romans 5:15-19.

It is freely "offered" but it is ALSO at a cost to obtain! Salvation is purchased from the source which is Christ...

Mat 13:44 "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Mat 13:45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls,
Mat 13:46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

You keep going back to the requirement for the Christian believer to be obedient to God's commands, and you'll get no argument from me about that. However, this thread is about how "The Cross and the Cross Alone Can Save..."

The cross/atonement is only effective if obedience and a heart is completely turned. See above....

What obedience is required for salvation? For our salvation?

Keeping his commandments as that is the witness by which we obtain life. Salvation is not about one moment but the judgment of a life time of faith.

Romans 5:19 - "... by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous."

Talk about selective context to prove a point. This is talking about his offering "source/author" of salvation ot them that obey. he is the source by which we do the Father's will and obey his commandment and abide. Which is the Law upon the heart SO THAT WE MIGHT DO!

Whose obedience is in mind here? Yours? Mine? No!

Again it's his obedience to the Father's will that he abided as we also are to abide in him by which we are judged to abide. John 15

We are all made righteous by the obedience of a single individual. It was His obedience and His obedience alone that saves us. We are saved by "the obedience of one!"

This is correct as he is the "source" but salvation is not monergistic in realization it is synergistic.

Romans 11:5-6 clearly demands us to accept that this free gift comes without any "works" on our part.

sorry but you cannot be saved with negating ALL which is doing something on you part which is a life long thing not a momen in time.

sorry but JEsus clearly said that to abide we must do. Which is the same as Abraham. You clearly teach OSAS. If you say you don't then you are contradictive in your doctrine.

Paul seems to be telling us, "it's one or the other" in Romans 11:5-6. It's either "grace" or it's "works." For whatever reason, he seems to come down rather heavily on the "grace" side of things.

That's because you don't understand Paul and make JEsus, John, James all against Paul.