Suppose someone anonymously sent you a check for $1,000,000. The money is yours if you want it, but you still must endorse the check. In no way can signing your name be considered earning the million dollars—the endorsement is a non-work. You can never boast about becoming a millionaire through sheer effort or your own business savvy. No, the million dollars was simply a gift, and signing your name was the only way to receive it. Similarly, exercising faith is the only way to receive the generous gift of God, and faith cannot be considered a work worthy of the gift.
Do you get the money without signing or is the signature REQUIRED? I'm glad you used this example, I use similar examples myself. There are "works" one must perform BUT those "works" are not enough to EARN the gift. When you perform those works, you are "signing the check" so to speak, not earning anything. MP believes that repentance is a work that folks do to try to earn salvation when it, along with other things, are simply "signing the check". No, signing the check, taking it to the bank, depositing it isn't earning it but you will not enjoy the benefits of that check without doing those things. You don't get the money by simply saying thank you. There are things you have to do to accept the money. Abraham had faith in God when he was told to go into another land. He "signed the check" by packing up and going (obedience).
I never said repentance is a work. in fact meta..change noia..mind..metanoia the greek word for repentance is you change your mind. in other words you agree with God that you are a sinner. no where in my post have I said repentance or changing your mind is a work.
Jesus Christ said blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
you come broken with nothing to offer Him. God resist the proud but gives grace to the humble.
the lordshippers are the ones that say you have to repent OF YOUR SINS to be saved when no where in your king james Bible is the words OF YOUR SINS ever mentioned after the word repent.
you do have to repent to be saved but that is just you realizing your a sinner and putting your faith in the only one who can save you.
for the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life.
for by grace are ye saved through faith and this NOT OF YOURSELVES it is the gift of God NOT OF works lest any man should boast.
no works required to receive a gift.
