getting clearer

"Absolutely clear in Cyprians account of salvation is that when a sinner attains to the heavenly vision and immortality, it is all God's doing and a work of mercy and grace. Humans cannot coerce God or force his grace to work within them or on their behalf. In spite of later Protestant polemics against the penitential system that grew out of Cyprians theology, Cyprian himself was not guilty of work-righteousness or self-salvation. Nowhere did he suggest that a person can earn salvation as a reward for good works; he only emphasized that a truly repentant sinner being saved by God's grace will necessarily demonstrate true repentance by outward acts." - Roger E. Olson

"There is no faith exhibited where there is no obedience. There is no fruit where there is no faith exhibited. There is no salvation where there is no fruit." - Tony Evans

"My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard." I John 2