Hello dear friend.
What are your thought? I believe that the scriptures teach that receiving God's Grace and salvation are all conditional on "believing and following" what Gods' Word says (present tense) but let me show why I believe this from the scriptures.
GOD'S GRACE AND SALVATION ARE CONDITIONAL ON FAITH
According to the scriptures, Gods' gift of eternal life is a free gift of God's grace that received through faith and there is nothing we can do to earn it *Ephesians 2:8-9. However Gods' free gift of Grace received through faith is a condition to receiving God's Grace. So if we do not have faith in Gods' Word *Romans 10:17 we cannot receive Gods' free gift of grace and everlasting life because faith is the conditions to receiving grace and whatsoever is not of faith is sin *Romans 14:23 and without faith it is impossible to please God *Hebrews 11:6. The bottom line is if we do not believe and follow what Gods' Word says which is genuine faith we will not see Gods' promise of Grace and everlasting life because we are still in our sins of unbelief according to the scriptures *Romans 14:23.
GOD'S SALVATION IS CONDITIONAL TO BELIEVING AND OBEYING GOD'S WORD
Believing..
John 3:36 [36], He that believes on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides on him.
Obeying..
Matthew 7:21 [21], Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Confession of sin..
1 John 1:9 [9], If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Proverbs 29:13 13, He that covers his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy.
Proverbs 28:9 9, He that turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
Repentance of sin..
Acts of the Apostles 2:38 [38], Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts of the Apostles 5:32 [32], And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
Acts of the Apostles 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord
Acts of the Apostles 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commands all men every where to repent
Hebrews 10:26-27 [26], For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sin [27], But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
Let's look a little deeper,
IS OUR SALVATION CONDITIONAL ON BELIEVING AND FOLLOWING WHAT GOD'S WORD SAYS?
Let's now look at the conditional particle in the Hebrew and Greek scriptures translated in English as "IF"
OLD TESTAMENT (not definitive)
Hebrew meaning of “IF”
“IF” (Hebrew) *H518; אם;'im; A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo !; interrogitive, whether ?; or conditional, if, although ; also Oh that !, when ; hence as a negative, not: - (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), + but, either, + except, + more (-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, + save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, + surely (no more, none, not), though, + of a truth, + unless, + verily, when, whereas, whether, while, + yet.
We must do well in order to be accepted...
Genesis 4:7 “IF” (conditional) you do well, shall you not be accepted? and if you do not well, sin lies at the door. And to you shall be his desire, and you shall rule over him.
Exodus 18:23 “IF” (conditional) thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace.
Consequences for not believing and following...
Genesis 20:7 Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for you, and you shall live: and “IF” (conditional) you restore her not, know you that you shall surely die, you, and all that are yours.
Exodus 4:23 And I say to you, let my son go, that he may serve me: and “IF” (conditional) you refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay your son, even your firstborn.
Blessings for believing and following...
Exodus 15:26 And said, “IF” (conditional) you will diligently listen to the voice of the LORD your God, and will do that which is right in his sight, and will give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases on you, which I have brought on the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that heals you.
Leviticus 26:3-5 [3], “IF” (conditional) you walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them; [4] THEN I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. [5], And your threshing shall reach to the vintage, and the vintage shall reach to the sowing time: and you shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely.
Exodus 19:5 Now therefore, “IF” (conditional) ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine
Leviticus 26:14-18 [14], But “IF” (conditional) you will not listen to me, and will not do all these commandments; [15] And IF (conditional) you shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that you will not do all my commandments, but that you break my covenant: [16], I also will do this to you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and you shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. [17], And I will set my face against you, and you shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and you shall flee when none pursues you. [18], And IF (conditional) you will not yet for all this listen to me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins.
Note: There are too many more to write so may stop here for the Old Testament scriptures and maybe post some more latter.
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NEW TESTAMENT (not definitive)
Greek meaning of “IF”
“IF” (Greek) *G1437; אםἐάν; ean; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty : - before, but, except, (and) if, (if) so, (what-, whither-) soever, though, when (-soever), whether (or), to whom, [who-] so (-ever)., See G3361.
God's forgiveness is conditional...
1 John 1:9 [9], “IF” (conditional) we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Matthew 6:14-15 [14], For “IF” (conditional) you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: [15], But “IF” (conditional) you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Being a disciple we must follow what Jesus says...
Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus to his disciples, “IF” (conditional) any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Gods' conditions for receiving His Spirit and inheriting eternal life...
Matthew 19:16-19 [16], And, behold, one came and said to him, Good Master, what good thing shall I DO, that I may have eternal life? [17], And he said to him, Why call you me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but “IF” (conditional) you will enter into life, keep the commandments. [18], He said to him, Which? Jesus said, You shall do no murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, [19], Honor your father and your mother: and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
John 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: “IF” (conditional) any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
John 8:24 I said therefore to you, that you shall die in your sins: for “IF” (conditional) you believe not that I am he, you shall die in your sins.
John 8:31-32 [31], Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, “IF” (conditional) you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed;[32], And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Matthew 7:21 [21], Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that DOES the will of my Father which is in heaven.
John 8:39 They answered and said to him, Abraham is our father. Jesus said to them, “IF” (conditional) you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham.
John 8:51 Truly, truly, I say to you, “IF” (conditional) a man keeps my saying, he shall never see death.
God only hears those who are following His Word...
John 9:31 Now we know that God hears not sinners: but “IF” (conditional) any man be a worshiper of God, and does his will, him he hears.
John 14:15 “IF” (conditional) you love me, keep my commandments.
JOHN 15:10 “IF” (conditional) you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.
John 15:14 You are my friends, “IF” (conditional) you do whatever I command you.
John 14:23 Jesus answered and said to him, “IF” (conditional) a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our stay with him.
John 15:6-7 [6], “IF” (conditional) a man abides not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. [7], “IF” (conditional) you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done to you.
John 3:36 [36], He that believes on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides on him.Matthew 7:21 [21], Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven.
1 John 1:9 [9], “IF” we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Acts of the Apostles 2:38 [38], Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
2 Timothy 2:12 “IF” we endure, We shall also reign with Him. “IF” we deny Him, He also will deny us.
Note: There are too many scriptures to list so only a few have been posted here.
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SOME CHALLENGING QUESTIONSWE SHOULD ALL ASK AND ANSWER FOR OURSELVES
Now ask yourselves these questions and see if you have faith or unbelief?
If God tells us not to have other Gods *Exodus 20:3 and we take to ourselves other Gods' of the things of this world and give them all of our time and love do we show our faith to God or unbelief in Gods' Word?
If God tells us not to make idols of the things in heaven and earth *Exodus 20:4-5 and we make idols and worship them do we show our faith to God or unbelief in Gods' Word?
If God tells us not to take His name in vain *Exodus 20:7 and we pretend to be Christian but do not live a Christian life do we show our faith to God or unbelief in Gods' Word?
If God tells us to Remember His Sabbath to keep it holy and we forget His Sabbath commandment *Exodus 20:8-11 and disobey it do we show our faith to God or unbelief in Gods' Word?
If God tells us to honor our parents *Exodus 20:12 and we dishonor them do we show our faith to God or unbelief in Gods' Word?
If God tells us we should not kill anyone *Exodus 20:13 and we go out and kill someone do we show our faith to God or unbelief in Gods' Word?
If God tells us not to commit adultery *Exodus 20:14 and we go and commit adultery in our hearts do we show our faith to God or unbelief in Gods' Word?
If God tells us not to steal *Exodus 20:15 and we go and steal something do we show our faith to God or unbelief in Gods' Word?
If God tells us not to lie *Exodus 20:16 and we go out and lie about someone do we show our faith to God or unbelief in Gods' Word?
If God tells us not to covet others belongings *Exodus 20:17 and we go and covet our neighbors things do we show our faith to God or unbelief in Gods' Word?
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Are you in the faith dear friend? According to the scriptures, both Gods' grace and salvation are conditional to believing and following what Gods' Word says.
May God bless you as you seek Him through His Word