The Bible is a spiritual book that was written by men that were indwelt with the Holy Spirit. If one cannot receive this simple teaching that salvation is a free gift from God it is because they do not posses the Holy Spirit who is the teacher of truth, John 16:13.
There is no scripture anywhere in the Bible that teaches salvation can be earned by works, deserved by obedience, imposed (Calvinism) or any other means. The word "grace" in the New Testament means, God's unmerited favor towards fallen man.
"For by grace, (God's unmerited favor towards fallen man) are you saved through faith; and not that of yourselves; it is THE GIFT OF GOD" Ephesians 2:8.
"But not as the offense, so also is THE FREE GIFT" Romans 5:15.
"And not as it was by one that sinned, SO IS THE GIFT" Romans 5:16.
"They which receive abundance of grace and THE GIFT of righteousness shall reign in life by one Jesus Christ" Romans 5:17.
"Even so by the righteousness of one THE FREE GIFT came upon ALL MEN unto justification of life" Romans 5:18.
A gift can only be received or rejected. If it is imposed upon you it is not a free gift, it is an imposition. God does not impose salvation on anyone, if he did he would be unjust. Salvation is offered to everyone as a free gift from God that has been provided by Jesus Christ.
Jesus comes into the world as God's reconciler. By the doing and the dying of Jesus all of humanity has been reconciled unto God, 2 Corinthians 5:19. The work of salvation has been done, we are complete "In Christ" Colossians 2:10. But nothing is ours until it is received by faith.
"But as many as received him (and his free gift of salvation) to them gave he the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe upon hid name" John 1:12.
There is no scripture anywhere in the Bible that teaches salvation can be earned by works, deserved by obedience, imposed (Calvinism) or any other means. The word "grace" in the New Testament means, God's unmerited favor towards fallen man.
"For by grace, (God's unmerited favor towards fallen man) are you saved through faith; and not that of yourselves; it is THE GIFT OF GOD" Ephesians 2:8.
"But not as the offense, so also is THE FREE GIFT" Romans 5:15.
"And not as it was by one that sinned, SO IS THE GIFT" Romans 5:16.
"They which receive abundance of grace and THE GIFT of righteousness shall reign in life by one Jesus Christ" Romans 5:17.
"Even so by the righteousness of one THE FREE GIFT came upon ALL MEN unto justification of life" Romans 5:18.
A gift can only be received or rejected. If it is imposed upon you it is not a free gift, it is an imposition. God does not impose salvation on anyone, if he did he would be unjust. Salvation is offered to everyone as a free gift from God that has been provided by Jesus Christ.
Jesus comes into the world as God's reconciler. By the doing and the dying of Jesus all of humanity has been reconciled unto God, 2 Corinthians 5:19. The work of salvation has been done, we are complete "In Christ" Colossians 2:10. But nothing is ours until it is received by faith.
"But as many as received him (and his free gift of salvation) to them gave he the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe upon hid name" John 1:12.