Jesus Paid the Full Price

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God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.  Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.  For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” ’  “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”  When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”  Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:32-38

It is important for every believer to recognize that we are not saved by our own works, but by the Blood of Jesus.  So why didn't Peter answer the question on Pentecost about what they should do by saying that they should do nothing?  If Peter was a preacher in our day, would he not have said, "Jesus did it all, you must do nothing?"

It certainly is true that Jesus did it all.  But it is not true that you must do nothing.  Nothing you do can provide even a tiny part of the price of your salvation, but without repentance and baptism there is no Biblical promise of forgiveness of sins!  

The illustration is certainly not perfect, but if you have a lottery ticket with all the winning numbers, but you never turn that ticket in to collect your prize you will not receive it.  

If you try to "be saved" without doing what the Bible tells you to do, should you be surprised if Jesus says "I never knew you" on the Day of Judgment.

Please understand that I am not trying to enter the "debate" about these things.  Whatever you believe about them is between you and the Lord.  But remember that He is the one who inspired the writers of the Bible to speak about them.

"Lord Jesus, I do want to be obedient to You in everything.  Thank You for paying the full price for my salvation! May Your Holy and righteous Name be praised now and forever.  Amen."