Randy,
The practicalities are that those who repent of their sins and have faith in Christ alone as their Lord and Saviour on their death beds, do not have an opportunity to demonstrate their faith through works.
That's how it was for the thief on the cross and it happens for all death-bed salvations.
Oz
Its not by law and its not by works.
Jesus=>ask and receive; knock and the door will be opened; seek and find
Jesus who knew the sins of the women at the well=>Jesus answered her, "If you knew the
gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."
Jesus=>Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?
24But I want you to know that the Son of Man has
authority on earth
to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.
Paul=>I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"
Paul=>For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed--a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."
Jesus=>Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.
35Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever.
36So if the Son sets you free,
you will be free indeed.
The one born of God does not continue to sin. -John wrote that not me.
I think this is more in line with what James was stating=> If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.
It is not meant to recreate a continuous ask and receive forgiveness method of salvation. As in one who continues to sin after coming to the knowledge of the truth. If the Lord forgives your sins you are forgiven. And via the Spirit who Jesus received from the Father and sends in His name One is washed, sanctified, justified. And those who remain in Jesus He remains in them. A good tree bears good fruit. Not bad fruit.
We are children of the
promise not of the slave women.