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Not by 'works'

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To be 'on the path' a person MUST be willing to deny everything s/he holds dear. 'The path' IS the payoff, it's not 'self' serving, which means it doesn't deliver anything (riches, power) beyond 'life in abundance'.

A person is either on the path, or not; and a great challenge of staying on the path is to remain watchful to avoid falling from it.

Nothing can be held back, which is why Jesus speaks about 'God's kingdom' as if it were a treasure that can only be purchased AFTER SELLING EVERYTHING a person owns [to 'possess it]. 'Works' are dead, since they are attempts to get a priceless 'something' for a limited price (having your cake and eating it, too).

Repentance, which is necessary IN ORDER TO FIND and GET ON the path, isn't about doing 'good'. Repentance is an 'about face' in the way a person sees and responds to reality. A 'your will, not mine' way of seeing, that completely permeates a person's 'heart' and gives eternal direction.

Matthew

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