“Salvation comes from doing the Father’s will, and earnestly repenting when we fail in that.”
THAT, and ONLY THAT, is essential for salvation!
I know personally that Jesus is divinely linked in some way; calling him the “Son” of God is a good term, but I also know that confessing that is not essential to salvation; but I also know that confessing that is not essential to salvation; FOLLOWING HIS TEACHINGS IS!
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I have to disagree with you there. BELIEF not works are what are required for salvation. Mere confession is naught without belief, and our works are “filthy rags” without belief. Now, obviously someone who claims to be a Christian, yet “sins like there is no tomorrow”, I would have to question their faith. But your phrasing borders on making the Gospel a gospel of works, not grace.
John 6:27-29
27Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
28Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”
29Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
Why is this so a difficult concept for some...
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. (James 2:14-18 ESV)