It still all boils down to what does it mean to believe in Jesus. Just an intellectual acceptance or believing all that He taught. And if you believe all that He taught, he did encourage us to do good works and we will be judged upon them. Familiarize yourself with the Gospel of Matthew and the 'Judgement of Nations'. Those that showed love of neighbor were simultaneously showing their love for God. And they will be awarded eternal life.
We have faith, hope, and love. Faith without love of God and neighbor is like a clanging gong, worthless. So, if you only have an 'intellectual faith' in Jesus and can't apply it to your Christian life then your definition of 'Faith in Jesus' is sadly truncated and prettty much worthless.
Faith in Jesus includes the whole package, believing in Him as Lord, God, and Savior and believing all that He taught and commanded us to do.
If you think that believing in Jesus is easy, look at all the martyrs. Even all the Apostles, except for John, gave up their lives in martyrdom. No Gospel reading ever said that being a Christian would be easy. What does 'Pick up your own cross and follow Me' mean to you? Does that sound easy?
We have faith, hope, and love. Faith without love of God and neighbor is like a clanging gong, worthless. So, if you only have an 'intellectual faith' in Jesus and can't apply it to your Christian life then your definition of 'Faith in Jesus' is sadly truncated and prettty much worthless.
Faith in Jesus includes the whole package, believing in Him as Lord, God, and Savior and believing all that He taught and commanded us to do.
If you think that believing in Jesus is easy, look at all the martyrs. Even all the Apostles, except for John, gave up their lives in martyrdom. No Gospel reading ever said that being a Christian would be easy. What does 'Pick up your own cross and follow Me' mean to you? Does that sound easy?
Likewise, there were many commands to me as my Dad's only boy. Dad did not command me to help with jobs and such to be his son. He expected that of me because I was his son.
Faith does not equal obedience UNLESS I am commanded to have faith,/trust/believe.