Teaching acts of obedience to Jesus Christ isn't necessary for eternal life to occur in one--is a false religion:
So how many acts of obedience must you accomplish and "add" as a supplement to Christ's finished work of redemption in order to help Christ save you? Salvation by works is a false religion. (Romans 4:5-6; 11:6; Ephesians 2:8,9) Christ's finished work of redemption is sufficient and complete to save believers. No supplements needed. (Romans 3:24-28)
1 John 1:7---King James Version
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
More eisegesis on your part that culminates in works salvation. 1 John 1:6 - If we
say that we have fellowship with Him, and
walk in darkness, we
lie and
do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. Walking in darkness is
descriptive of children of the devil. Walking in the light is
descriptive of children of God. Only those who are saved/believers are in the light.
Acts 26:18 - to open their eyes, in order to
turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.
2 Corinthians 6:14 - Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And
what communion has light with darkness?
Ephesians 5:8 - for you were
formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light. Children of the devil walk in darkness, not in the light. Children of God walk in the light, not in darkness. IF confirms these positions in verses 6 and 7. It's one or the other.
In 1 John 2:9, we read - He who
says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. In verse 11, we read -
But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
*Compare with 1 John 3:10 - In this the
children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever
does not practice righteousness is not of God, (compare with 1 John 1:6 -
does not practice the truth) nor is he who
does not love his brother. *Notice that
walks in darkness, hates his brother is connected to children of the devil.
Are you claiming this isn't the Father's will--or belief in Christ?:
1 John 2:3-4---King James Version
3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in
There is a difference between doing God's will IN ORDER TO BECOME SAVED: John 6:40 - For
my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and
believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.
and doing God's will AFTER WE HAVE BEEN SAVED: 1 Thessalonians 5:14 - Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for
this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Those who "keep" (Greek word "tereo" - guard, observe, watch over) his commandments (1 John 2:3) demonstrate that they already know him/are already saved. This is God's will for those who are already saved. Those who merely say they know him, yet do not "keep" (guard, observe, watch over) his commandments are liars and the truth is not in them. This is descriptive of unbelievers/those who are not saved.
Again--when you reference "faith" there--is that a reference to a faith with works--or a faith without works?
Works "follow" saving faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-10) and are the fruit of salvation, but never the root of it.
That only connects works with the kingdom of God.
Works are the demonstrative evidence of authentic faith, but are not the basis or means by which we are saved.
Revelation 22:14---King James Version
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Works-salvationists typically confuse 'descriptive' passages of scripture with 'prescriptive' passages of scripture. See my explanation of 1 John 2:3. "Do His commandments" does not earn us eternal life, but it is evidence that we have been granted eternal life through faith and are born of God. Other translations read, "Blessed are those who
wash their robes," which symbolizes those who have been forgiven of their sins through the blood of the Lamb (Romans 3:24-26). *Also see Revelation 7:14.
That's the reason God grants His salvational grace to them which are willing to repent and be baptized:
I see that you have added yet "another" work to salvation by grace through faith, not works. (Ephesians 2:8,9) In Romans 5:1, we read - Therefore, having been
justified by faith, (plus what? plus nothing) we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have
access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
*Access by faith into grace. Not access by keeping his commandments into grace or access by baptism into grace..
Acts 2:38--King James Version
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.
In Acts 2:38, "for the remission of sins" does not refer back to both clauses, "you all repent" and "each one of you be baptized," but refers only to the first. Peter is saying "repent unto the remission of your sins," the same as in Acts 3:19. The clause "each one of you be baptized" is parenthetical. This is exactly what Acts 3:19 teaches except that Peter omits the parenthesis.
*Also compare the fact that these Gentiles in Acts 10:45 received
the gift of the Holy Spirit (compare with Acts 2:38 -
the gift of the Holy Spirit) and this was BEFORE water baptism (Acts 10:47).
In Acts 10:43 we read
..whoever believes in Him receives remission of sins. Again, these Gentiles received
the gift of the Holy Spirit - Acts 10:45 -
when they believed on the Lord Jesus Christ - Acts 11:17 - (compare with Acts 16:31 -
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved) BEFORE water baptism - Acts 10:47. This is referred to as
repentance unto life - Acts 11:18.
*So the only logical conclusion
when properly harmonizing Scripture with Scripture is that faith in Jesus Christ "implied in genuine repentance" (rather than water baptism) brings the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 5:31; 10:43-47; 11:17,18; 15:8,9; 16:31; 26:18). *Perfect Harmony*
As to your "come to know Him"---
1 John 2:3-4---King James Version
3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in
We don't come to know him by keeping his commandments, but instead,
we know that we have come to know him, (already know him/already saved/demonstrative evidence)
if we keep his commandments.