Like many believers, out of fear of punishment that I would not be saved unless I kept the commandments, did not sin too much, went to church and so on. I used to judge others and unintentionally communicate that one must qualify for salvation after being born again. If you do not obey, you are not saved. In other words, you do not qualify despite your claims to believe.
My error was that Jesus did not die to judge us and see if we can qualify.
If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. John 12:47 ESV
Jesus qualified us, the ungodly sinner, when he died and rose again – Rom 4:25.
Giving thanks to the Father, WHO HAS QUALIFIED YOU to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (Col 1:12-13 ESV)
And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies (dikaioó - make righteous) the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, Rom 4:5 ESV
Like satan did to Adam, I was deceived into doubting God’s very clear words, if you believe you are saved.
Today, I believe God. I’m forgiven, under grace and not law and my confidence is completely in God’s justification of me.
“Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies” (Rom 8:33 ESV).
Perfected in love, I no longer fear punishment.
By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 1 John 4:17-18 ESV
Under the New Covenant, I am righteous, fully qualified in Christ. How about you?Read many more New Covenant studies here: NEW COVENANT ARTICLE LINKS