I just posted the following in the
Calling Jesus "Lord,' without choosing to obey Him with one's life, is useless and is not able to save anyone.
that is an example of using an out of context verse to apply MacArthur's idea that salvation is actually not free. what he has done, is put the yoke back on everyone's neck...the very one Jesus came to take off our necks
anyway, I think that post might be applicable to what you say above here it is:
the op is relating her belief in MacArthur's understanding of salvation. that's a problem
if a person is going to use Jesus statement 'why do you call me lord but do not do what I say' as a reference for salvation, they are going to ADD to God's grace and confuse what Jesus said to those who were supposed to represent God.
Jesus never said call me Lord and do as I say for salvation. if keeping commandments were the way to salvation, if works were the way to salvation, Jesus would not have had to die in our place.
yes, Jesus IS Lord and salvation is of God. period. there is nothing we can do for our salvation except for accepting it
the gospel...the word gospel means simply GOOD NEWS , but going back to the old testament and demanding works is not good news. that is the exact same yoke and burden Jesus came to do away with
as for works, we are created to do GOD'S works . people throw the word works around and think it's stop smoking, drinking and swearing
actually it is this:
For we are His workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10
salvation is God's good works to us and for us and He created us to do works that HE had prepared for us to do. these are not the 10 commandments and they are not flogging your flesh as some do
those good works that God prepared for us to do are everyday living for Christ. God desires that we are becoming like His Son...conformed to His image as scripture tells us. remember, God first created mankind in His image (Genesis 1) and that image was marred through sin. So, God loving His creation, John 3:16, sent His Son to become the Way to get back to God's intent. only, this time, sin can no longer hold sway over us...NT truth, so it's a 'done deal'
ALL is God's work and we cannot improve on it!
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2: 8-10