John 8:31 "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;" These are saved believers
John 3:15 "That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." but Jesus says if you continue in the word then you are disciples.
Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." Discipleship, taking up the cross, Following Jesus is works. yes it is. Salvation and discipleship cannot mix, according to Jesus they are not the same thing
John 8:31 this proves discipleship and salvation are not the same.
Reading the bible, obeying commands, thats works, thats discipleship. We should do that after salvation to keep a good relationship with God avoid chastisement and grow in sanctification. but has nothing to do with the free gift of salvation. If you have to repent of this sin or that sin or clean up the life, thats works not salvation. Do not conflate salvation and discipleship they are two separate things. salvation is a one time event passed from death to life, in a moment of time twinkling of an eye. Counting the cost is works, salvation is not costly.
Romans 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
John 6:47 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Acts 16:30-31 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
