The Bible is clear that we are saved by grace through faith unto good works. (Ephesians 2:8-9) In Romans three and four, Paul must have said salvation is a totally free gift -- not earned by good works -- fifteen times. You must understand that Scripture teaches when we try to add our work to grace, we cancel grace ("grace is no more grace"). He told the Galatians who were trying to be justified by works they had rendered Christ of no effect and fallen from grace. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.(Galatians 5:4)
God simply will not accept human works for salvation. That's the message of Scripture from Genesis forward.
And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.--Romans 11:6
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. --Ephesians 2:8-10
The word of God clearly states that the act of grace forgives our PAST sins, and writes the law on our hearts, thereby opening us up to our salvation at the last trump. (If we endure to the end)
That is the essence of the NT message; what else can there be?
We do not have the needed capacity to love others as our selves without the writing of Torah on our hearts. It is a gift from God.
Did the disciples love each other?
No, they strived to be the greatest, and constantly had to be admonished that all are equal. They got that needed change when the Holy Spirit was sent to them. That is when what they had studied and tried to live by all their lives suddenly became their nature.
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