But...the work of salvation never began with man. It began with God and so he will complete it by bringing all his sheep to pasture (home). Salvation does not depend on the man who runs or the man who wills. But on God's mercy (Rom 9:16).
Jesus and his apostles had some pretty good tboughts for the Church too
“Therefore, my
dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is
God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that
you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky
as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.”
Philippians 2:12-16
“But because of
your stubbornness and
your unrepentant heart,
you are storing up wrath against yourself ( note paul is saying the person who’s refusing to repent is causing it not God but the person following thier own stubbornness and heart ) for the day of
God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. God “will repay each person according to what they have done.”
To
those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.
But for
those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; ( again he’s saying it’s then rejecting the truth and then following and acting in the evil not God forcing them to do good or evil )
but glory, honor and peace for
everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.”
Romans 2:5-11 NIV
Why is Paul saying this stuff to the beloved church at rome ? Because he understands the truth of this and doesn’t want to lie to them and deceive them about it
“For
we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
Since, then,
we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.”
2 Corinthians 5:10-11 NIV
When we say other things about the same subject either Paul has to be teaching falsely or we have learned some erroneous things
he was teaching in his epistles the church , that we all have to face God on judgement day for all we say and do no matter who we are and because of this we need to repent and start living upright lives now because our sins are forgiven and we can be saved if we turn to the lord now we can be forgiven and redeemed and filled with a good and holy spirit that is not a slave to sin anymore
We have a choice to make if we accept the gospel and receive the spirit
“Therefore,
brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.
For
if you live according to the flesh, you will die;
but
if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. For those who are
led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.”
Romans 8:12-14 NIV
now that we have received the spirit we have to follow the spirit and repent of following the flesh or we’re going to perish like before we have power to overcome now and a doctrine to accept and follow believing it’s true
“You, my
brothers and sisters, were called to be free.
But
do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh;
rather, serve one another humbly in love.
So I say,
walk by the Spirit, and
you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For
the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
The
acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
( we can lose our promised inheritance if we live to please our flesh nature d keep sinning )
But
the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us
keep in step with the Spirit.”
Galatians 5:13, 16-25 NIV
We aren’t taught that a gods going to do everything after we accept the gospel , we’re taught that his spirit is with us and we can now do all things because he gives us strength
“
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13 NIV
We have a doctrine we’re meant to believe a path set before us to follow after to its end
“
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
For
of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.
For
you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.
Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather
expose them. It is
shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But
everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but
as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”
Ephesians 5:1-17 NIV
We should try to believe the things the Bible teaches and let those things change how we believe and think and live ultimately he’s trying to save us if we’ll believe Jesus
