Many strive to be self made Christians. None have ever succeeded. Salvation is entirely the gift of God AND therefore the work of God.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are HIS WORKMANSHIP created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Galatians 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
Psalms 55:19 God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.
John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. 1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
Romans 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Matthew 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Psalms 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
No one can create clean hearts in us except the One who created our hearts in the first place. Neither can we mortals do this for one another. Pray these words to God: Thy will be done in my heart, in my life, in my thoughts, in my words and in my actions. I want to be YOUR workmanship.
Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
