I'm saying that just because someone thinks they have had a spiritual moment in their life and they think they have been born again, and they think they believe in Christ, it is not an automatic path to eternal life. In fact it is just the beginning of their journey to eternal life. Those who stay on the right path and are doers of the word, and endure to the end will receive their reward of eternal life. Those that do not, will not.
When Jesus says that if you believe in me, you will have eternal life, he is assuming that your belief will lead you to love him and do those things that he asks us to do. If you do not do these things, he will acknowledge that he knew you not and your salvation is lost.
Thank you for responding.
Firstly I would say if a person genuinely places their faith Jesus.
Romans 10:8-11
8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”
Then this is not just thinking is genuine believing faith.
Notice THE LORD JESUS and RAISED FROM THE DEAD.
When I baptise people I quote the above and ask them have you done this and believe it and made him Lord of your life.
Before I baptise them I disciple them as to what it means to make him Lord.
I have refused to baptise someone because they could not and would not confess that.
Yet I have baptised someone who when I came alongside because he was seeking could not confess that.
Then in one meeting he fell on his knees and confessed that and said very Jesus I need need you so much I want to be like you.
Secondly I disagree with you because genuine belief and confession is an automatic path to eternal life.
Thirdly I agree that it is the beginning of their journey but disagree to journey eternal life. Because they know they have eternal life.
Think about it, if it's a journey with no guarantee of eternal life what is the result of consequences?
What is it that God wants?
Works or relationship?
Jesus rejected those who claimed works because he never knew them.
Why would they be?
I did ask you what enduring to end means a few pages back but can't see an answer to that.
So I ask again.
You say Jesus assumes your belief will lead you love him and do the things he has asked us to do.
To me that limits Jesus, because he only assumes but does not know.
Therefore he does not know who will be saved. But this goes against
John 18:8-9
8 Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,” 9 that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, “Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.”
John 6:39-40
39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. 40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
Does not Jesus know the will of the Father?
So who are doers of the word, seems that Jesus rejected those who were doers of the word, yet those who he accepted questioned "When did we"
Are you quick to write off those that you classified as who thinks but do not bear fruit?
Or do you take time to come alongside and and understand and disciple?
Do you endorse fear that is not healthy, one that says 3 strikes and your out.
To be honest you come across like that. I could be wrong and am open to be corrected.
Jesus said "If you love me"
Jesus also said "God loves you as much as he loves me"
Our walk is relational.
It's not a formula.
If love is the focus would it leave the other in fear of rejection.
Finally love or works.
Works as a result of love or works to earn love.