BELIEVE
In the NT, the Greek indicates that “believe” is a present tense imperative verb!
So, a continuing belief-faith is necessary for continuing salvation-eternal life!
“… whoever believes [present tense: continues to believe] in Him may have
[present tense: may continue to have] eternal life. For God so loved the world, that
He gave His only Son, that whoever believes [present tense: continues to believe]
in Him should not perish but have [present tense: continue to have] eternal life.”
(John 3:16)
REPENT
In the NT, John used the word “believe” … meaning to have faith, and to repent.
“Repent (metanoeo) and believe (pisteou) may be understood as opposite sides of
the same coin. Repent means to turn from one’s allegiance to sin and unbelief,
whereas believe means to place one’s trust in Christ. Thus, when one is mentioned
the other is implied … John never used the words repent, repentance, or faith
to describe the way people are saved. Instead, he used believe since this term
included all of these ideas.” (The Holman Christian Standard Bible)
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) This refers to our on-going sins!
OBEY
We’re talking about obedience to Jesus’ teachings and commands.
Continuing obedience is what “being faithful” means!
“… anyone who obeys my teachings will never die!” (John 8:51)
“You are truly my disciples, if you remain faithful to my teachings” (John 8:31)
Disobedience proves Unbelief
“Wasn’t it the people who disobeyed him? So we see that because of their unbelief
they were not able to enter his rest … so we ought to tremble with fear that some of
you might fail to experience it … IF we disobey God … we will fall.” (Hebrews 3:18--4:11)
Those who love Jesus obey Him
● “Those who accept My commandments and obey them are the ones
who love Me … All who love Me will do what I say” (John 14:21, 14:23)
● “When you obey My commandments, you remain in My love” (John 15:10)
● “He who keeps His commandments abides in Him and He in him” (1 John 3:24)
● “Loving God means obeying His commandments” (1 John 5:3)
Who gets to heaven who does not love God and obey His commandments?
Those who love the LORD obey Him
● “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul,
with all your strength, and with all your mind” (Luke 10:27, Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30)
● “You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.” (Luke 4:8)
● “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord’, and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46)
Being a slave of obedience leads to righteousness (eternal life)
“… you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either (slaves) of sin which leads to
(eternal) death, OR (slaves) of obedience leading too righteousness?” (Romans 6:16)
The Shepherd of Hermas
“Only those who fear the Lord and keep His commandments have life with God.
But there is no (eternal) life in those who do not keep His commandments.”
(from “The Shepherd of Hermas”, which was one of the most popular works of the first
several centuries of the early church – arguably the most. It was quoted as Scripture
by such early Christian leaders such as Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, and Origen.)
In the NT, the Greek indicates that “believe” is a present tense imperative verb!
So, a continuing belief-faith is necessary for continuing salvation-eternal life!
“… whoever believes [present tense: continues to believe] in Him may have
[present tense: may continue to have] eternal life. For God so loved the world, that
He gave His only Son, that whoever believes [present tense: continues to believe]
in Him should not perish but have [present tense: continue to have] eternal life.”
(John 3:16)
REPENT
In the NT, John used the word “believe” … meaning to have faith, and to repent.
“Repent (metanoeo) and believe (pisteou) may be understood as opposite sides of
the same coin. Repent means to turn from one’s allegiance to sin and unbelief,
whereas believe means to place one’s trust in Christ. Thus, when one is mentioned
the other is implied … John never used the words repent, repentance, or faith
to describe the way people are saved. Instead, he used believe since this term
included all of these ideas.” (The Holman Christian Standard Bible)
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) This refers to our on-going sins!
OBEY
We’re talking about obedience to Jesus’ teachings and commands.
Continuing obedience is what “being faithful” means!
“… anyone who obeys my teachings will never die!” (John 8:51)
“You are truly my disciples, if you remain faithful to my teachings” (John 8:31)
Disobedience proves Unbelief
“Wasn’t it the people who disobeyed him? So we see that because of their unbelief
they were not able to enter his rest … so we ought to tremble with fear that some of
you might fail to experience it … IF we disobey God … we will fall.” (Hebrews 3:18--4:11)
Those who love Jesus obey Him
● “Those who accept My commandments and obey them are the ones
who love Me … All who love Me will do what I say” (John 14:21, 14:23)
● “When you obey My commandments, you remain in My love” (John 15:10)
● “He who keeps His commandments abides in Him and He in him” (1 John 3:24)
● “Loving God means obeying His commandments” (1 John 5:3)
Who gets to heaven who does not love God and obey His commandments?
Those who love the LORD obey Him
● “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul,
with all your strength, and with all your mind” (Luke 10:27, Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30)
● “You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.” (Luke 4:8)
● “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord’, and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46)
Being a slave of obedience leads to righteousness (eternal life)
“… you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either (slaves) of sin which leads to
(eternal) death, OR (slaves) of obedience leading too righteousness?” (Romans 6:16)
The Shepherd of Hermas
“Only those who fear the Lord and keep His commandments have life with God.
But there is no (eternal) life in those who do not keep His commandments.”
(from “The Shepherd of Hermas”, which was one of the most popular works of the first
several centuries of the early church – arguably the most. It was quoted as Scripture
by such early Christian leaders such as Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, and Origen.)