John 14:15 If you love Me, keep My commandments.
We must not confuse 'descriptive' passages of scripture with 'prescriptive' passages of scripture. Those who "keep" (Greek word "tereo" - guard, observe, watch over) His commandments demonstrate their love for Christ. 1 John 2:3 - By this we know that we have come to know Him, (already know Him/demonstrative evidence) if we keep His commandments.
I don't draw any lines. I will not be the one to judge. Where did Christ draw the line?
He drew a clear one at forgiveness.
Matthew 6:
14 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Unforgiveness is the mark of an unbeliever and forgiveness would be the mark of a genuine believer. We should forgive others because God, through Christ, has forgiven us (Ephesians 4:32). It is inconceivable that someone who has truly experienced God's forgiveness could refuse to grant forgiveness to others.
Jesus drew the line in the sand here: John 3:18 - He who
believes in Him is not condemned; but he who
does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
This is not about earning salvation, or losing salvation. It is about being a "good and faithful servant". Anyone who objects to the notion of serving Christ in obedience as trying to "earn salvation" is simply encouraging others toward being a "wicked and lazy servant". If you know what Christ endured in obedience so that we could be forgiven, then "here am I, send me", becomes a part of your vocabulary.
Luke 17:10 So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded,
say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’
We could never earn our salvation no matter how obedient we may be. In regards to the parable of the talents in Matthew 25, the first two servants
deposited their money with the bankers (Matthew 25:27)
but the third servant buried his money in the ground (vs. 25). The third servant had been given a talent according to his ability and the opportunity to believe and bear fruit in accordance, but chose to reject it.
Also, the fact that the latter man in this parable is called "wicked" and "slothful" and an "unprofitable servant" (Matthew 25:30) who is cast out into outer darkness indicates that he was not a true disciple of the master. The idea of this parable is that all true believers will produce fruit in varying degress. All genuine believers are fruitful, but not all are equally fruitful (Matthew 13:23).
Those who produce no results are not truly converted.
Two of these servants were children of God, but not the third. Children of God are not cast out into outer darkness. The fact that this man is called a "servant" does not necessarily mean that he was saved. *The Jews were called the Lord’s servants, but they were not all saved.
Leviticus 25:55 - For the
children of Israel are
servants to Me; they are
My servants whom I brought out of the land of Egypt.
Nehemiah 1:6 - please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now, day and night, for the
children of Israel Your servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against You. Both my father’s house and I have sinned.
Isaiah 43:10 - “You (Israel vs. 1) are My witnesses,” says the Lord, And
My servant whom I have chosen..
The Lord won't honor you for doing your job, but He is well pleased when you do so with
His Spirit. The Covenant of Eternal Salvation written on your heart demands that you do,
and convicts you when you do not. This is the overcoming Life. I love you Dan man. I posted those scriptures in the OP #1 to encourage others to be faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.
I am feeling the love and back at you.
We should always strive to be faithful.
