For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
Many have been deceived and are desperately trying to purchase forgiveness of sins, salvation, righteousness and eternal life. And there are, of course, lots of hucksters, i.e. false prophets, false preachers and false religious teachers, ready to sell them this counterfeit righteousness; But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who brought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgement from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. (2 Timothy 2:1-3)
These false prophets and false religious teachers may look and sound pious and may have many followers, but the counterfeit righteousness they are selling is not the righteousness of God that leads to eternal life. Good works-- things like being baptized, regular Church attendance and giving, being a good person and trying your best to keep the ten commandments, may make you feel righteous. But no one gains God's approval or His genuine righteousness by their good works; ...Since by the works of the law no flesh will be justified. (Galatians 2:16)
Ho! Everyone one who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. (Isaiah 55:1) True forgiveness of sins, justification, salvation, righteousness, and eternal life is a free gift of God and is to be received by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. Good works, defined as trusting and obeying God, should and will follow saving Faith in Christ. Stop trying to buy what is not for sale. Rather accept God's free gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus! Maranatha!
