[Alamo-Girl]

Truly said, dear sister in Christ. Thank you!

Indeed. On his own strength, man is hopeless before God:

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. – John 3:18

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. – Romans 3:10-11

But we are all as an unclean [thing], and all our righteousnesses [are] as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. – Isaiah 64:6

Our salvation, even our love for Him, is a gift from God:

No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. – John 6:44

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: - John 10:27

We love him, because he first loved us. – I John 4:19

And “all that there is” moves from the beginning to the end, from First Cause to Final Cause, Alpha to Omega:

Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all [things] he might have the preeminence. For it pleased [the Father] that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, [I say], whether [they be] things in earth, or things in heaven.– Col 1:15-20

It is absurd to think that a mere mortal could somehow merit God's love - much less by his own efforts become a member of His family forever more. If it were possible, then Christ died for nothing.

I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness [come] by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. – Galatians 2:21

That is a Spiritual Truth we are to learn from the law. (Romans 7) No one can ever be “good enough” – and the more we understand the law, the more clearly our sins stand in evidence against us. But Christ has set us free from the law of sin and death!

[There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. – Romans 8:1-4

Maranatha, Jesus!

[Dr. Eckleburg]

It is absurd to think that a mere mortal could somehow merit God's love - much less by his own efforts become a member of His family forever more. If it were possible, then Christ died for nothing.

That is a Spiritual Truth we are to learn from the law. (Romans 7) No one can ever be "good enough" – and the more we understand the law, the more clearly our sins stand in evidence against us. But Christ has set us free from the law of sin and death!

Amen!

And how much more glorious the gift when it's freely given.

"According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man" -- Ephesians 3:11-16

Praise God! We're "family!"