Nobody is claiming that Jesus saves us and after that, we should do absolutely nothing in return (out of love and gratitude) for Him. Love and gratitude is my motivation for serving Jesus Christ and not pride and expectation that He will save me based on the merits of my works. Huge difference. We love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19).
If salvation is a change of heart and direction, and good works are its fruit why do you
dislike saying these two are always linked?
When Christ has bought you, you are not your own. What I know is you all came to
faith many years ago, mainly as kids, and know slavery to legalism. Maybe the truth
is you never really came to Christ, but dabbled on the fringes and your failure has been
because it never dwelt in your soul, and led to continual failure and frustration.
I say this because I have met people who were born christian, though this is impossible.
I also know people who know what christians should do, but their life is dominated by a
whole different agenda.
So if today you stand an empty servant bowing to the King, amen. For in all things we
are always empty, humble, contrite people in need of Christs filling and fellowship, to
fill us up to overflowing to bring grace and favour to this lost world.
Do you desire His will and His ways? Is this your desire, morning, noon and night?
Apart from tearing me to pieces, what is your desire to serve each day?
The more I go on I want to feel the touch of His Spirit on my heart and to know what
more of His glorious riches to share. Do you know in His love there are glorious riches?
Or to know you have helped someone at a fundamental level is such a blessing to our
souls.