The ‘nothing’ refers to self-work.
Salvation being a free gift (Romans 6:23).
There is indeed effort and let’s talk about that:
Romans 5:3-4
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.
Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
2 Peter 1:5-6
For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness.
Some examples.
Romans 10:9-13 is meat & potatoes for “cutting to the chase” regarding Salvation.
Hey sinner! Admit it, Believe in Jesus, Believe in His Work for you, Call out to Him as your only and last hope. He will save you if you are sincere.
I’m not into easy believism. In fact, the older I get - the more I see how narrow the road is for Salvation.
The poor Brother-in-Christ that suffered in the above article posted shows how difficult and arduous the Walk with Christ will be. Personally, I’ve got family members who call be a lunatic and self-righteous patriarch. None of them have threatened to kill me though - yet.
We may disagree on details, but I hope you understand I’m not taking the process of Salvation and making it a breeze.
*lots of spelling errors in my post.
I meant “I’ve got family members who call me a lunatic..”