GaryK wrote:2 Thessalonians 1:8 NKJV 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I thought about this thread when I read this verse this morning. It seems to me the question in the thread title could be answered yes according to this verse.
And what is this gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ that must be obeyed ? Is it not the Gospel that Paul says saves us - 1 Cor 15:1-5
Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by (and he points to those who seen him).
So, yes, I agree, according to the thread title we must obey the call to a belief in Christ. We must, as this says, both receive it (salvation being a gift) and stand firm in it (don't return the gift). In Acts 2 we read them asking Peter 'What shall we
do?'
“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
And there are other supporting scriptures to doing to be saved - Romans 10:9-10 for instance.
Some don't think this is enough doing to be saved and yet they have no suggestion on how many further steps of obedience are required. Unless one believes perfect obedience is required and possible and they are living that way, then they can't be saved.
A new heart will pursue obedience even though we fall short many times, I believe as we hold firm to our belief in Christ we will be saved. Blessed assurance Jesus is mine and I am His. 'Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of His Spirit, washed in His blood. This is my story this is my song."