Just because
salvation is God's gift does not mean that man needs to do nothing but
to accept it. In the same way, Christ pronouncement that "whoever
believes in Him ... [will] have everlasting life" should not be taken to
mean that membership in His true Church is no longer necessary for
man's salvation.
It is true that there are works by which man is not saved. Among these
is what Apostle Paul describes as the "works done in righteousness,
which we did ourselves" (Titus 3: 5,3, American Standard Version),
for God did not purpose that man be saved on the merits of his own
works, "that no flesh may boast in His presence" (I Cor. 1:29). This
does not mean, however, than man does not need to do anything anymore.
Verse 10 of Ephesians chapter 2 (proceeding from verse 8 and 9)
elucidates that when God created man, He intended him not only to be "in
Christ Jesus" but also "for good works, which God prepared before hand
that we should walk in them" (New King James Version).
Indeed, those who are "in Christ Jesus" are no longer condemned or will
"not perish but have everlasting life." But in order to be among those
who truly are in Christ Jesus, it is not enough for one to merely
profess belief or faith in Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ says to those
who say they believe in Him, "Why do you call me, "Lord, Lord, but not
do what I command?" (Luke 6:46, New American Bible). Apostle James likewise taught:
"What good is it my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no
deeds? Can such faith save him? ..You see that a person is justified by
what he does and not by faith alone." (James 2:14, 24, New International Version).
Clearly, believing or having faith in Christ entails much more than
just merely declaring that one accepts Christ as his personal Savior. To
become a true believer of Christ, one must be among His sheep: "But you
do not believe, because you are not My sheep ..." (John 10:26, New King James Version).
Thus, Christ calls everyone who wants to be saved to enter the fold or
flock, which is the Church of Christ-which He redeemed or purchased with
His blood (John 10:9, Revised English Bible; Acts 20:28, Lamsa Translation). These are the ones referred to as people "who are in Christ."