God sent His only Son to teach us what He always wanted us to know all through the O.T. but it was necessary to "see" for ourselves how we are to be...and that is like Jesus.
So believing means that we trust everything Jesus tells us (and the N.T. writers who continued Jesus' ministry).
Now it becomes a matter of knowing what Jesus taught.
Godsgrace101
Can you not see what you have actually said in these sentences? You are saying that obedience to the written words is how we become like Jesus. How is this different than the OT Jews following Torah?
You are eliminating the inner work of Holy Spirit which is what grace really means.
grace: OT
H2603
חָנַן
chânan
khaw-nan'
A primitive root (compare H2583); properly to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (that is, move to favor by petition): - beseech, X fair, (be, find, shew) favour (-able), be (deal, give, grant (gracious (-ly), intreat, (be) merciful, have (shew) mercy (on, upon), have pity upon, pray, make supplication, X very.
Total KJV occurrences: 77
Grace: NT
G5485
χάρις
charis
khar'-ece
From G5463; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude): - acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace (-ious), joy liberality, pleasure, thank (-s, -worthy).
Total KJV occurrences: 156
OT grace of law is inability to produce righteousness but granted in kindness because of faith in sacrificial blood. Outward work.
NT grace is ability of Holy Spirit given within to produce the image of Jesus in our life through the new birth.
Inner work.
We cannot judge another Christians life unless we are perfect in our own. That's what Paul mean't. I think a lot of Christians get caught in works because of this. And none of us are perfect. But altogether in Him, we make up perfection in His body. Each of us excel in some quality He has given.