Is salvation something I earn by mourning my sin, or a gift I receive?
Salvation is a gift. Jesus paid the wage. You receive Him. Sorrow can follow love, but sorrow is not the price of admission.
Some teaching says you must first produce enough grief over sin before God will save you. That turns the gift into a work.
Scripture says we are saved by grace through faith. It is the gift of God, not works. If righteousness came by the law, Christ died for nothing.
Receive the Son. Then live from the new heart and the Spirit — not from trying to feel sorry enough.
Verses
- Ephesians 2:8-9 — Saved by grace through faith — the gift of God.
- Romans 6:23 — The wages of sin is death; the gift of God is eternal life.
- John 3:16 — Whoever believes.
- Galatians 2:21 — If righteousness were through the law, Christ died for no purpose.
A next step. Ask: am I receiving Jesus, or trying to pay for what He already gave?