Why did Paul write so often to Christian congregations admonishing them to abandon their sinful ways?
Why did Paul have to tell believing Christians that those who committed various sins could not be saved in the kingdom of God?
Why did Paul teach that Christ is “the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe?”
Why did Paul say that “godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation?”
Why did Paul tell the Philippians to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling?”
When discussing “the grace of God that bringeth salvation,” why does Paul say that it teaches “that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world?”
Why does the epistle to the Hebrews say that Jesus was “the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him?”
Each of these passages suggests that grace alone is not sufficient for salvation. Consequently, when reading the epistles of Paul, one must keep a much broader picture in mind. For example, Paul told the Romans,
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
From this passage, it is clear that grace alone is insufficient and that it must be coupled with rightousness, faith and confession.
Are you serious? Bwahahaha
