Salvation is a free gift that God has given to all who believe Jesus is His Son. No other truth is as powerful, as perfect and as just as that purposed by the Father for our understanding. We cannot earn salvation. God gives it to us freely.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
What would we gain if our works were a way to enter into the Kingdom of God? God’s mercy would not matter, nor would His forgiveness. Then by what standards would God judge us? If it were so, no one would be worthy of salvation. Thankfully, we have Jesus.
Adam’s sin required a blood offering; for through Adam, all have sinned, but through Christ, all shall live. God’s mercy is so great that He offered His only Son so that we might live. No longer does sin hold us in bondage, for Christ paid the price for us. We are free.
We do not have to be anxious for the day of salvation. God has given eternal life to us without further qualification. His plan includes us raised from the dead. We are His. He has saved us. How joyful a truth it is to know that salvation is God’s gift to us!
Looking to God 
Beautiful post and so true. Thanks for sharing, Jack!
God truly is gracious. Blessings!
Amen
All praise to God, Steve!
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:26
God is the only one who can change a heart, for through works we can recognize each other as followers of Christ. “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Matthew 7:19). Blessings, Carlos!
My Friend,
“works” are a necessary proof; and essential evidence of pour Love of God.
James 2: 17:26
[17] So faith also, if it have not works, is dead in itself. [18] But some man will say: Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without works; and I will shew thee, by works, my faith. [19] Thou believest that there is one God. Thou dost well: the devils also believe and tremble. [20] But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
[21] Was not Abraham our father justified by works, offering up Isaac his son upon the altar? [22] Seest thou, that faith did co-operate with his works; and by works faith was made perfect? [23] And the scripture was fulfilled, saying: Abraham believed God, and it was reputed to him to justice, and he was called the friend of God. [24] Do you see that by works a man is justified; and not by faith only? [25] And in like manner also Rahab the harlot, was not she justified by works, receiving the messengers, and sending them out another way? [26] For even as the body without the spirit is dead; so also faith without works is dead.”
May God continue His Good works in You my friend,
Patrick
Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.
Mathew 3:8
Absolutely, we are in agreement, Patrick! Even more so, “Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law” (Romans 3:27-28).