There are many sincere Christians, who deeply love the Lord Jesus Christ, but do not understand this critical concept. And many of these would be very offended at the suggestion that this is a fundamental doctrine of the Christian faith. But regardless of the opinions of anyone, this is indeed taught in the scriptures, and not only taught, but insisted upon as a basic and fundamental principle.
True, we cannot earn our salvation, and nothing we do can pay for our sins. Lord Jesus made the ransom payment for all people, so that whosoever believes (continuous believing) is ransomed, and possesses eternal life.
Faith, always includes repentance, and is represented in baptism (dying to old Master of sin) and rising to follow our rightful Master and Lord, Jesus).
Whosoever believes (continuous) has eternal life (
John 3:16).
Whosoever believes ( continuous) has passed from death to life.
John 5:24 (WEB) 24 “Most certainly I tell you,
he who hears my word and believes him who sent me
has eternal life, and doesn’t come into judgment, but
has passed out of death into life.
Whosoever believes (
demonstrated by following Lord Jesus) walks in the light of life, and is cleansed from all sins.
John 8:12 (WEB) 12 Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. [Isaiah 60:1]
He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but
will have the light of life.”
1 John 1:6-7 (WEB) 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness,
we lie, and don’t tell the truth. 7 But
if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and
the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.
Therefore, as we remain in the faith (continuous believing), demonstrated by following Lord Jesus, we have the light of life, and the blood of Lord Jesus cleanses us from all sins - we have passed from death to life.
For those who do not remain in the faith, following Lord Jesus, these are no longer walking in the light of life, their sins are no longer forgiven, and they will be judged.
Ephesians 4:5-7 (WEB)
5
Know this for sure, that no sexually immoral person, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater,
has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God. 6
Let no one deceive you with empty words. For because of these things, the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience. 7
Therefore do not be partakers with them. 8 For
you were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord.
Walk as children of light, 9 for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 (WEB) 3 For this is the will of God:
your sanctification, that
you abstain from sexual immorality, 4 that
each one of you know how to
control his own body in sanctification and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust, even as the Gentiles who do not know God, 6 that no one should take advantage of and wrong a brother or sister in this matter; because
the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as also we forewarned you and testified. 7 For
God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification. 8 Therefore
he who rejects this doesn’t reject man, but God, who has also given his Holy Spirit to you.
1 Timothy 4:1 (WEB) 1 But the Spirit says expressly that in later times
some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons
1 Timothy 6:10-12 (WEB)
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.
Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But you, man of God, flee these things, and
follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. 12
Fight the good fight of faith.
Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you confessed the good confession in the sight of many witnesses.
1 Timothy 6:18-19 (WEB)
18 that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to share; 19 laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come,
that they may lay hold of eternal life.
1 Timothy 6:20-21 (WEB) 20 Timothy, guard that which is committed to you, turning away from the empty chatter and oppositions of what is falsely called knowledge, 21
which some profess, and thus have wandered from the faith.
Hebrews 12:25 (WEB) See that
you (
the Christians for whom the letter was written) do not refuse him who speaks. For if
they (
those OT Israelites) did not escape when
they refused him who warned on the earth,
how much more will we (
the Christians for whom the letter was written) not escape
who turn away from him who warns from heaven
Hebrews 10:35-38 (WEB)
35 Therefore do not throw away your boldness, which has a great reward. 36
For you need endurance so that, having done the will of God, you may receive the promise