somehow you read this and preach human-willpower-works-salvation from it @vassal
i am only your friendly neighborhood idiot but even i see you don't understand what you read here, but preach falsely from it anyway.
THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ETERNAL LIFE ACCORDING TO JESUS
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somehow you read this and preach human-willpower-works-salvation from it @vassal
i am only your friendly neighborhood idiot but even i see you don't understand what you read here, but preach falsely from it anyway.
he has no idea what he is reading.
someone told him to say these false things - it is an ancient heresy, and the very reason we were given things like Colossians and Romans by the Spirit of God.
... why Mark 10:18 exists between Mark 10:17 and Mark 10:19
Vassal's rabbi can't handle Mark 10:18, so he told Vassal and his brethren to pretend it doesn't exist.
what you just wrote is not an interpretation of the text — it is a complete replacement of it. You have put words in Jesus' mouth that He never said and removed the words He actually did say, and have twisted this parable beyond comprehension.
The text says nothing of the sort. Here is what Jesus actually said — nothing added, nothing removed:
And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. (Matthew 19:17)
Jesus did not say the law cannot save and move on. He said keep the commandments — directly, clearly, without hesitation. When the young man asked which ones Jesus listed them straight from the Ten Commandments (Matthew 19:18-19).
The text also never says the young man declared himself sinless or that he recognized works cannot save. That is completely inserted. What the text actually says about Jesus' response to this man is devastating to your interpretation:
Then Jesus beholding him loved him. (Mark 10:21)
Jesus loved him. That is not how Jesus responded to fools and liars. That is how He responded to someone genuinely seeking truth.
The young man's problem was not theology — it was his wealth which he loved more than God. Jesus exposed that one idol and the man walked away sorrowful. That is the parable. Simple. Clear. Unchanged.
Every word of God is pure. (Proverbs 30:5)
It does not need our additions.
Now Jesus explained why for some of his words are closed to them and they cannot understand, should I explain this to you?
Yes, by that verse, and also by the following verses, all of which he ignored. What was Jesus's answer to His disciples' question of v26 of who then can be saved? That salvation is impossible with men but only with God who Jesus is.
And that completely slammed the door on salvation being by man in any way to include by his attempting to achieve it through the keeping/satisfying of law. Salvation is exclusively a gift given by God's grace.
[Mar 10:26-27 KJV]
26 And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?
27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men [it is] impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.
well lets hear it, be specific for a change, any verse(s) in mind? please don't cherry pick that one verse that we all know.
A single verse does not make the whole story, Christ did say many things about salvation and eternal life, all these numerous verses go together or the meaning is lost.
When Jesus said, "keep my commandments," it is important to understand what commandments He's talking about. He's not talking about the ten commandments or the law of Moses. "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another."John 13:34 That's the new commandment He gave us to obey. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. 1John3:23-24. Commandment number 1: Believe on God's only begotton Son, Jesus Christ. Commandment Number 2: Love one another. We are saved by obeying the first commandment of Believing in Jesus. Then, our entire life after we are saved is built upon the 2nd commandment to love one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Galatians 5:14
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. Romans 13:8-10
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. Romans 13:8-10
HaveEL,
I appreciate you sharing this, but I must respectfully and firmly correct what you have written, because it mishandles Scripture in a way that leads people away from obedience rather than toward it.
You claim Jesus was "not talking about the Ten Commandments" when He said keep His commandments. But Jesus said plainly in His own words:
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. Not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law." — Matthew 5:17-18
He then warned that anyone who sets aside even one of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. That warning applies directly to what you are teaching here.
When the rich young ruler asked about eternal life, Jesus did not say "just believe and love." He said: "You know the commandments: do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honor your father and mother." — Mark 10:19. Those are the Ten Commandments, named by Jesus Himself as the standard of obedience.
You quote 1 John but skipped past what the same writer said just two chapters later: "This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments." — 1 John 5:3. And again: "This is love, that we walk according to His commandments." — 2 John 1:6. John defines love itself as commandment-keeping. You have used John's writings to argue the opposite of what John taught.
Your own Romans 13 passage, which you quoted yourself, actually names the commandments — do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not covet — and says love fulfills them. Fulfilling a law means fully satisfying it, not erasing it. A man who pays his debt fulfills it — the debt was real. The commandments are real.
The "new commandment" of John 13:34 did not invent love for one another — that was already commanded in Leviticus 19:18. What was new was the measure: love one another as Christ loved us. It deepened the standard. It did not tear down the Law.
And finally, Revelation identifies the end-time saints by two things held together: "Here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." — Revelation 14:12. Your framework makes that verse make no sense.
Love does not replace the Ten Commandments. Love is the reason and the power by which we keep them. The commandments show us what love looks like in practice. You cannot love your neighbor while stealing from him, lying about him, and coveting his wife. Paul asked the very question your teaching raises and answered it himself: "Do we overthrow the law by faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law." — Romans 3:31. @Cameron143
is Jesus good, or is He evil?
there is no in-between, according to the scripture here that i led you to quote, which you previously carefully ignored.
Jesus said many things "plainly in His own words", including these statements regarding GRFS,
some stated in terms of faith (F) and some in terms of works (W):
From Matthew
35. Accept the kingdom (Mark 10:15, F)
36. Believe the Gospel (Mark 16:16, F)
37. Receive baptism (Mark 16:16, W)
38. Be hated (Luke 6:22-23, W)
39. Lend (Luke 6:35, W)
40. Judge not (Luke 6:37, W)
41. Invite the poor to your party (Luke 14:13-14, W)
42. Use wealth wisely (Luke 16:9, W)
43. Stand firm (Luke 21:19, F)
From John
44. Be born again (3:3&6, F)
45. Come to the light (3:21, F)
46. Drink living water (4:14, F)
47. Heed Jesus (5:24, W)
48. Do right (5:29, W)
49. Work for the food of life (6:27, W)
50. Believe in the one God has sent (F)
51. Partake of the bread of life (6:33-35&51, F)
52. Eat the flesh and drink the blood of X (6:54, F)
53. Dwell within the truth (8:31&35, W)
54. Obey the Son (8:51 & 14:15, F&W)
55. Hate self; serve Jesus (12:25-26, W)
56. Accept Jesus’ words (12:47, F)
57. Follow Jesus’ example (13:15-17, W)
58. Dwell in Jesus and in love (15:5-10, F&W)
59. Heed his command (15:10-12, F)
60. Know God and Jesus Christ (17:3, F)
61. Believe Jesus is Christ/Son (20:31, F)
some stated in terms of faith (F) and some in terms of works (W):
From Matthew
- Repent (4:17, F)
- Recognize one’s spiritual poverty (5:3, F)
- Be righteous (5:20, W)
- Love your enemies (5:44, W)
- Forgive those who offend you (6:14, 18:35, W)
- Serve God (6:24&33, W)
- Enter the narrow gate (7:13, F)
- Do God’s will (7:21 & 12:50, F&W)
- Hear and act (7:24, F&W)
- Confess Jesus (10:32, W)
- Love Jesus (10:37, F)
- Give life to Jesus (10:39& 16:24-25, F)
- Have no doubt (11:6, F)
- Come to Jesus (11:28, F)
- Learn from Jesus (11:29, W)
- Be for Jesus (12:30, F)
- Understand (13:23, F)
- Be good (5:48 & 13:38,43,49, W)
- Value salvation (13:44-46, F)
- Believe Jesus (16:16& 21:32, F)
- Become humble (18:3-4 & 19:14, W)
- Forgive others (18:35, W)
- Obey the commandments (19:17, W)
- Give to the poor (19:21, W)
- Follow Jesus (19:21&29, F)
- Yield fruit (21:43, W)
- Dress appropriately (22:11-14, cf. RV 16:15, W)
- Love God, neighbor & self (22:37-40, W)
- Hold out until the end (24:13, F)
- Keep awake (24:42 & 25:13, F)
- Be ready (24:44, F&W)
- Be trustworthy and useful (25:21&30, F&W)
- Help Jesus’ brothers (25:34-40, W)
- Be righteous/do right (25:46, F&W)
35. Accept the kingdom (Mark 10:15, F)
36. Believe the Gospel (Mark 16:16, F)
37. Receive baptism (Mark 16:16, W)
38. Be hated (Luke 6:22-23, W)
39. Lend (Luke 6:35, W)
40. Judge not (Luke 6:37, W)
41. Invite the poor to your party (Luke 14:13-14, W)
42. Use wealth wisely (Luke 16:9, W)
43. Stand firm (Luke 21:19, F)
From John
44. Be born again (3:3&6, F)
45. Come to the light (3:21, F)
46. Drink living water (4:14, F)
47. Heed Jesus (5:24, W)
48. Do right (5:29, W)
49. Work for the food of life (6:27, W)
50. Believe in the one God has sent (F)
51. Partake of the bread of life (6:33-35&51, F)
52. Eat the flesh and drink the blood of X (6:54, F)
53. Dwell within the truth (8:31&35, W)
54. Obey the Son (8:51 & 14:15, F&W)
55. Hate self; serve Jesus (12:25-26, W)
56. Accept Jesus’ words (12:47, F)
57. Follow Jesus’ example (13:15-17, W)
58. Dwell in Jesus and in love (15:5-10, F&W)
59. Heed his command (15:10-12, F)
60. Know God and Jesus Christ (17:3, F)
61. Believe Jesus is Christ/Son (20:31, F)
my answer is in this text;
WHAT "DOING GOOD" LOOKS LIKE: WALKING OUT ETERNAL LIFE EVERY DAY
Jesus made it clear that eternal life belongs to those who have "done good" (John 5:29). But what does doing good actually look like when we wake up each morning, face our responsibilities, and interact with the people around us? It is not an abstract idea. It is lived out in the small, faithful choices of every ordinary day. And we are never left to figure it out alone — for Jesus Himself showed us the way, and the Holy Spirit empowers us to walk it.
Jesus Did Not Just Teach the Way — He Lived It
One of the most profound truths about Jesus is that He never asked us to do something He had not already done Himself. He was not a teacher who stood at a distance and pointed. He walked among people, touched the untouchable, ate with the outcast, wept with the grieving, and served without hesitation. "For I have given you an example, that ye also should do as I have done to you" (John 13:15). His life was the sermon. His daily choices were the lesson. To follow Jesus is to study not only His words but His actions — and then, with the Spirit's help, to do likewise.
It Begins in the Heart — Through the Spirit's Work
Doing good is never just outward behavior. Jesus always traced action back to the heart. But a transformed heart is itself the work of the Holy Spirit. As Paul wrote, "the love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given unto us" (Romans 5:5). When He said "keep the commandments," Jesus was pointing to a life made new from within — and it is the Spirit who does that renewing work, softening what was hard and filling what was empty.
The Helper Jesus Promised
Before Jesus left, He made a profound promise to His disciples: "I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may be with you forever" (John 14:16). This was not a small gift. The Holy Spirit is God's own presence living inside every believer — guiding, convicting, strengthening, and empowering. Without Him, doing good remains a tired effort of willpower. With Him, it becomes a fruit that grows from the inside out.
It Shows Up in How We Treat People — Just as Jesus Did
Jesus gave us unforgettable pictures of what doing good looks like in human relationships. When a woman caught in sin was dragged before Him by those ready to condemn her, Jesus did not join the crowd. He knelt, He wrote in the dirt, and He spoke words that silenced accusation and offered a new beginning — "Neither do I condemn thee: go thy way; from henceforth sin no more" (John 8:11). He showed us that doing good means choosing mercy over judgment, and restoration over condemnation.
When ten lepers cried out to Him from a distance, He did not pass by. He stopped, He heard them, and He healed them all (Luke 17:12–14). He showed us that doing good means noticing the people others walk past — the lonely, the sick, the forgotten — and responding with compassion rather than inconvenience.
And when His disciples argued about who was the greatest, Jesus took a towel and washed their feet (John 13:4–5). The Son of God, on His knees, serving. He showed us that greatness in His kingdom is not measured by position but by willingness to serve. Every day brings us our own version of that towel — a moment to choose humility over pride, and service over self.
Paul calls these qualities the fruit of the Spirit — "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control" (Galatians 5:22–23). When we yield to the Spirit daily, these qualities begin to shape how we speak, how we listen, and how we love the people placed in our path.
It Means Staying Connected to Him — As Jesus Stayed Connected to the Father
Even Jesus, the Son of God, did not operate independently. He rose early to pray. He withdrew to quiet places to seek the Father. He declared, "the Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father doing" (John 5:19). If Jesus depended on that intimate connection, how much more do we need it?
"Apart from me ye can do nothing" (John 15:5). The Holy Spirit is precisely how that connection is maintained in our lives today. He is the living link between us and Christ. When we pray, He intercedes. When we read God's word, He illuminates it. When we face temptation or discouragement, He strengthens us from within. Doing good in our own strength quickly runs dry. But when we stay rooted in the Spirit — through prayer, through His word, through quiet moments of surrender — He produces good through us the way a vine gives life to every branch that remains in it.
It Means Reaching Toward Those Who Are Struggling — As Jesus Always Did
Jesus consistently moved toward people in their pain rather than away from them. When Zacchaeus, a despised tax collector, climbed a tree just to catch a glimpse of Jesus, Jesus stopped beneath that tree, looked up, and said, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down; for today I must abide at thy house" (Luke 19:5). He did not wait for Zacchaeus to become worthy. He went to him first, and that encounter changed a man's entire life.
When a grieving mother crossed His path in the town of Nain, carrying her only son to be buried, Jesus did not need to be asked. "And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not" (Luke 7:13). He simply saw her sorrow and responded. This is doing good — keeping our eyes open to the needs around us and allowing the Spirit's compassion to move us to act.
In our own lives, this might look like reaching out to a friend who has gone quiet, sitting with someone in their grief without offering easy answers, or simply being present when presence is the greatest gift we can offer.
It Is Faithful in the Unseen Places — Where the Spirit Sustains Us
Much of doing good happens where no one is watching. Jesus honored this kind of quiet faithfulness. "Thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee" (Matthew 6:4). He Himself often slipped away from the crowds to pray, to fast, and to commune with the Father in hidden places. His public ministry flowed from His private devotion.
In our lives, this looks like the parent who prays faithfully over their children in the early hours of the morning. The person who chooses honesty in a small matter when no one would ever know. The quiet act of forgiving someone in your heart before they ever ask for it. In those unseen places, it is often the Holy Spirit who gives us the nudge, the courage, and the grace to do what is right — not for applause, but out of love for God.
It Is a Daily Walk — Led by the Spirit, Patterned After Jesus
God is not asking for perfection. He is asking for a heart that keeps returning to Him. Paul gives us this simple and beautiful instruction: "walk by the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16). Jesus walked this path perfectly before us — not to shame us, but to show us what is possible when a life is fully yielded to God.
When we stumble, the Spirit lifts us. When we are weak, He is our strength. When we do not know how to pray, "the Spirit himself maketh intercession for us" (Romans 8:26). And each time we choose to get back up, to forgive, to serve, to love — we are walking in the footsteps of Jesus.
This is the life He described and the life He demonstrated. A life of doing good — not to earn salvation, but because we are loved, because He is our example, and because His Spirit lives within us to make it all possible. And to those who walk this path, yielded to the Spirit and rooted in Christ, He gives the most beautiful promise of all: eternal life.
i have never preached "human-willpower-works-salvation" see post 432 of this thread.
I thought the OP question important enough to revisit, although Jesus also inspired Paul to preach GRFS and so he should be included.
With regard to Paul, the most normative case is when he answered the Philippian jailer's question by saying to believe in the LJC (Acts 16:30-31).
With regard to Jesus, the case of the rich young ruler (Matt. 19:16-19) might well be considered normative, although apparently Jesus knew that the man already accepted him as Messiah/Christ and so his description of the Father’s will skipped that part and went on to the part implied by accepting Him as Lord (cf. Matt. 7:21), listing some of the moral commandments as examples that are summarized by the commandment to love (Matt. 22:37-40, John 13:35), which part Paul also taught to believers (Rom. 12-15, 1Cor. 6-8, Gal. 5-6, Eph. 4-6, etc.).
Yes, God's path to life includes both parts, which must be a lifelong journey (John 15:4-5, Heb. 10:23-39) made joyfully rather than as an onerous duty (Matt. 11:29-30, John 15:9-11).
And yes, Jesus spoke of the final judgment, showing that our choices (MFW) matter (John 5:28-29) and indicating that resurrection is the most important word in Scripture, because it indicates the purpose of our earthly path is the possibility of attaining eternal life in heaven.
From what I understand, the two NT commandments still contain the ten commandments. They are the practical expression of the two NT commandments.
The Ten Commandments are organized into two categories, reflecting this dual love:
The first four commandments (love for God) focus on worship, reverence, and devotion to God alone. These are practical expressions of the first NT commandment.
The last six commandments (love for neighbor) govern ethical relationships, justice, and respect for others’ lives, property, and dignity. These are practical expressions of the second NT commandment.
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