If we are a Christian is it "must or else" or "will" keep (Greek word - tereo) guard, observe, watch over His commandments? (1 John 2:3-4). So what do you believe it means to "keep" His commandments and do you believe that Christians "keep" His commandments BECAUSE they are saved or in order to become or remain saved?
I think the title of the thread has thrown people off, but here's what I believe:
We are reconciled with God through belief in our Lord Jesus Christ, and through him only.
We are told to
1. Have faith in Jesus, AND
2. Do our best to stop sinning and rebelling against God
It has already been established in this thread that Christians have a duty to keep God's commandments:
Ecclesiastes 12:13
"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the
duty of all mankind".
John 14:15
"If you love me, keep my commandments"
We will never be able to stop sinning because of our imperfect nature and so we will never be able to reach the standard of God through any works.
Jesus however makes up for this shortfall.
BUT, the point of this thread is that if we do not consciously turn away from sin and do our best to stop rebelling against God once we accept Jesus into our lives, Jesus' sacrifice will not cover those sins:
Hebrews 10:26
"Dear friends, if we
deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth,
there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins".