Agreed. . .God saves no one who does not believe in and trust on the atoning work (blood, Romans 3:25) of Jesus Christ for the remission of their sin and right standing with God's justice; i.e, "not guilty," declared righteous (sin removed) by the righteousness (obedience) of Jesus Christ (on the cross).
We are
declared righteous, with remission of sin (c
leansed from all sin) as we
believe, and
remain in the faith evidenced by
walking in the Spirit, which is
walking in the light, or
following Lord Jesus. All the terms represent the mind of the Spirit in salvation - the
New Life by which we are in Christ.
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 (believers
) 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.
John 8:12 (WEB) “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.”
Galatians 6:7-9 (WEB) 7
Do not be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also
reap. 8 For
he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh
reap corruption. But
he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit
reap eternal life. 9
Let US not be weary in doing good, for
WE will reap in due season,
IF WE do not give up.
Romans 8:12-14 (NIV)
Writing to the Church in Rome
12 Therefore,
brothers and sisters,
we have an obligation — but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.13
For IF YOU live according to the flesh, you will die; but
IF by the Spirit YOU put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. 14
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
1 Timothy 6:18-21 (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.
John 10:27-28
27
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they
follow me. 28 I give
them Eternal Life, and
they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.
Acts 5:32 (WEB) 32 We are His witnesses of these things; and so also is the
Holy Spirit, whom God has given
to those who obey him.
Hebrews 5:9 (WEB) Having been made perfect, he became to
all of those who obey him the author of
Eternal Salvation
Matthew 10:38
38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me
is not worthy of me.
1 Timothy 4:16 (WEB) 16 Pay attention to yourself and to your teaching.
Continue in these things, for in
doing this you will
save both yourself and those who hear you.
IF you are not a
disciple of Lord Jesus, you are not a
Christian, and you do not
belong to Christ. Non-Christians not saved.
Acts 11:26
The
disciples were called
Christians first at Antioch.
Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)
19 Therefore go and
make disciples of
all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and
teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
Who are the
disciples (Christians) who
belong to Christ?
Galatians 5:24-25 (WEB)
24 Those who
belong to Christ have
crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.
25 If we
live by the Spirit, let us also
walk by the Spirit
So, what does faith mean by which God saves us? That is the question. To have faith in God is to love God. IF you love God, then you will follow Lord Jesus.
In the New Testament Gospel, a true faith in God is to believe in (to listen to and follow) His Son.
Faith includes repentance, which is demonstrated by a complete change of mind and purpose for living.
Acts 26:19-20 (ESV)
19 “Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but declared first to those in
Damascus, then in
Jerusalem and throughout all the region of
Judea, and also to the
Gentiles, that they should
repent and
turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.
Romans 1:5 (NIV) 5 Through him we received grace and apostleship
to call all the Gentiles to the
obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake.
The true believer denies the old life of selfish ambitions, and now commits to become a slave of God, holy (being separate or sanctified) onto God for the purpose of obeying Him, living a righteous life of Love.
These are the ones who are in The Faith, and receive remission of sins. This is what Paul taught throughout all his letters.
For instance, see:
Romans 6;
Romans 13:11-14;
Romans 12:1-2;
1 Corinthians 9:22-27;
1 Corinthians 10:1-12;
1 Corinthians 15:1-2;
2 Corinthians 13:5;
Galatians 5:13-25;
Galatians 6:7-9;
Ephesians 5:1-20;
Philippians 2:14-16;
Philippians 3:7-12;
Colossians 3:1-17;
1 Timothy 4:16;
1 Timothy 5:11;
2 Timothy 2:19;
Hebrews 3:6;
Hebrews 3:12-15;
Hebrews 3:14;
Hebrews 12:14-17
and so many more Passages of instruction all through Paul’s letters.
