I have to work hard at keeping fit. It means a few hours of working out every week.
I have to work hard at staying healthy, I have to watch I moderate the right foods.
I have to work hard at looking after ten children, making sure they will be educated, fed, and clothed.
If I didn't work hard at those things, then most likely I would not have those things I have attained for; fitness, health, educated, clothed, and well fed children. Obviously, the Lord gives me the strength to do these things, but that doesn't mean I don't have to work for it.
However, the best things in life are free. God's grace is free. He has offered us a salvation which is free. He died on a cross for the sins of the world. When we realise our sinfulness, acknowledge him as Lord, and saviour,and repent He gives us heaven. Free......what's more we don't work for it, we didn't earn it, we didn't deserve it, it is God's free gift to us!
That is why John Newton wrote amazing Grace. It was his soul song, he was once a wretch, was blind, but through God's free gift he was now free.
Salvation isn't dependent on what church you go to. What clothes you wear, what works in the community you do. None of us deserve it. We can think we are good moral people and deserve heaven. We don't, no one does. We can think we can work to earn God's favour. We can't. Our righteousness is as filthy rags in His sight. If we do good works, it will be out of love to God. We love Him that first loved us.
Until we can see our sinfulness, and humble ourselves, we will not be saved. ''God didn't call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.''Luke 5:32
The ''righteous'', in the verse are the ones who see themselves as morally good already.
'' Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:'' Rom 3:24
Check out the whole of Romans 11.
Meanwhile, have a happy Easter.
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.'' Phil 2:8
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