“Nobody works to earn a gift.” - metmom
2 Kings 5, Naaman had leprosy and God offered him the free gift of healing by simply dipping in the Jordan river 7 times, 2 Kings 5:10. God did not owe Naaman this healing it therefore was a matter of God’s grace. But Naaman could not receive this free gift until he first met the condition God put on the gift in obeying by dipping 7 times in the Jordan river. If Naaman’s work in obeying by dipping earned him his healing then it was not of grace. Yet his obedience earned nothing but was simply meeting a condition GOD put upon His free gift.
Again, not a single case anywhere in the Bible where it is ever said one’s obedience to God earned them God’s free gift. Yet that obedience was necessary in receiving the free gift.
You are hair splitting.
Obedience is not necessary for receiving that gift. That is earning it.
Faith is necessary for receiving the gift then one is enabled to obey and produces works in keeping with repentance.
Haven't you ever heard of the "obedience of faith"?
For indeed God can require us to do something that requires humility and faith (for "The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit:" Psalms 34:18), but it faith behind the act that appropriates the salvation. And which is consistent with sola fide, as shown you substantially (though dichotomous thinking may disallow that) for the only faith the saves is that which effects obedience, but it is the former that is counted for righteousness. And as shown you, among other examples we have "And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace." (Luke 8:48) Likewise we have,
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38)
Versus,
To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. (Acts 10:43-44)
In the first case forgiveness and regeneration (which event Paul in Titus 3:5 calls the "washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost") are promised to those who will repent and get baptized, while the same Peter later only preaches "believe" and which result in the same. "Contradiction?" No, for to believe in the Lord Jesus means believe, and which means repent, and thus he washing of regeneration is to those who will believe=repent and be baptized, the latter signifying this faith) as well as believe and thus be baptized. For we see in the latter example that regeneration preceded baptism, though confession with the mouth manifested this faith:
And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? (Acts 10:45-47)
And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. (Acts 15:7-9)
Thus as said, we have promises of salvation conditional upon believing, (Jn. 3:15,16,36;5:24; 11:25; Acts 16:31) as well as conditional upon obeying, (Mt. 10:32; Heb. 5:9) since the former effects the latter. Also, since one needs to have the faith that is of a penitent humble heart, God can call us to do things which requires such of us, in order that we may have the character of faith that appropriates what God wants to give us. And thus there is no contradiction btwn promises of salvation conditional upon believing, as well as conditional upon obeying.
HMMMmmm…
Healing the paralytic at Capernaum is one of the miracles of Jesus in the Gospels in Matthew (9:1–8), Mark (2:1–12), and Luke (5:17–26).[1][2][3][4]
Jesus was living in Capernaum and teaching the people there, and on one occasion the people gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left inside the house where he was teaching, not even outside the door.
Some men came carrying a paralyzed man but could not get inside, so they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and then lowered the man down.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, "Son, your sins are forgiven."