This is my understanding to why grace cannot be earned. I have given an illustration to explain my thoughts..

[Who me]

43 minutes ago, Neighbor said:

Well... His life was changed in rather dramatic fashion was it not?  Perhaps an example of quality not quantity, of what is real versus what is rote compliance.

The point of the example of the repentant thief is that he had only hours until he died, being nailed  to a cross he couldn't demonstrate a changed life.

[farouk]

1 minute ago, Who me said:

The point of the example of the repentant thief is that he had only hours until he died, being nailed  to a cross he couldn't demonstrate a changed life.

At the last he bore testimony with his mouth and the Lord saw his faith...........

[Who me]

8 minutes ago, Fran C said:

The thief on the cross.  What a silly example.

YOU, Who me, are NOT hanging on a cross.

So is a transformed life a sign of belief in God, or is it not?  

It is an example of what you asked for.

 

Is a transformed life a sign of belief in God?   NO it is not. As James says, demons believe in God and shudder.

 

A transformed life is evidence of a changed heart, mind and spirit following conversion.  

[Fran C]

30 minutes ago, Who me said:

It is an example of what you asked for.

 

Is a transformed life a sign of belief in God?   NO it is not. As James says, demons believe in God and shudder.

 

A transformed life is evidence of a changed heart, mind and spirit following conversion.  

I didn't ask for an example, did I?  

And do you think your 2nd paragraph and your last paragraph conflict?

If the heart, mind and spirit are transformed...shouldn't a person's life also be transformed??

[BlindEyes]

9 hours ago, Who me said:

When talking  about being forgiven or forgiving others yes you are correct there Must be repentance.

 

How much of a changed life did the repentant  thief show while dying on the cross.

The thief on the cross? Not much is said and I am forbidden to give false witness. Depends, did he know John the Baptist?

[BlindEyes]

18 hours ago, Michael37 said:

Interesting. So who is Jesus Christ to you?

Jesus is the Son of God. The one spoken of below:

 

 

Quote

 

Isaiah 9:6

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

 

 

He is God, the Word, in the flesh. God with us. Both man and God. He is the way, truth and life. The only way to the Heavenly Father. He lived, died and resurrected for our sakes. Our sins are forgiven if we believe and repent. He is holy, glorious and beautiful. Kind, merciful and generous. I aim to serve Him because He created me. My loyalty belongs to Him. Every good and perfect gift comes from the Father of lights. After all He has done for me I pray that He finishes His work in me and grants me eternal life. He is the King of kings, Lord of lords and God of God's. The living God. The magnificent God. My Holy One. After all He has done for us, is He not worthy?

 

[BlindEyes]

12 hours ago, Fran C said:

What is the presence of of the power of God?

It's the transformation that takes place in a believer's life.  When a person follows Jesus, he is transformed from the inside out.  His heart changes and become pliable to what God wants from him.

And what does God want from him?  That he obeys God.

If you're waiting for signs and wonders...I remind you of what Jesus said:

John 4:48

 48So Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe.” 

 

It should not be necessary to see signs and wonders in order to believe.

 

John 20:27-29

 27Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.” 

28Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” 

29Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”

It's not necessary to see in order to believe.

Jesus did signs and wonders because He's God.  None of us are God.

 

and

I also remind you that Jesus sent forth the Apostles to teach all nations and to baptize.  Those that know scripture better than you will be able to teach you a lot.

Those not followed by signs, wonders and miracles tend to be blinder than those who are followed by the power of God. All true believers are followed by signs, wonders and miracles. I already believe God exist and through that faith God has already proven His existence to me through signs, wonders and miracles. This is why I have come to believe that they are indeed possible. So yeah, I may not be born again but I know for a fact that all true believers are followed by signs, wonders and miracles. The blind have beams in their eyes and they desire to clean my eyes. Impossible.

[farouk]

7 hours ago, Fran C said:

I didn't ask for an example, did I?  

And do you think your 2nd paragraph and your last paragraph conflict?

If the heart, mind and spirit are transformed...shouldn't a person's life also be transformed??

Indeed so, @Fran C........... 'Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my Redeemer'. (Psalm 19.14)

[Cntrysner]

13 hours ago, BlindEyes said:

Those not followed by signs, wonders and miracles tend to be blinder than those who are followed by the power of God. All true believers are followed by signs, wonders and miracles. I already believe God exist and through that faith God has already proven His existence to me through signs, wonders and miracles. This is why I have come to believe that they are indeed possible. So yeah, I may not be born again but I know for a fact that all true believers are followed by signs, wonders and miracles. The blind have beams in their eyes and they desire to clean my eyes. Impossible.

1Co 1:22  For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 
1Co 1:23  But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 

Mat 12:38  Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.

Mat 12:39  But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: 
Mat 12:40  For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 

Mat 7:21  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 
Mat 7:22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 
Mat 7:23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 

[Your closest friendnt]

15 hours ago, BlindEyes said:

Jesus is the Son of God. The one spoken of below:

 

 

 

He is God, the Word, in the flesh. God with us. Both man and God. He is the way, truth and life. The only way to the Heavenly Father. He lived, died and resurrected for our sakes. Our sins are forgiven if we believe and repent. He is holy, glorious and beautiful. Kind, merciful and generous. I aim to serve Him because He created me. My loyalty belongs to Him. Every good and perfect gift comes from the Father of lights. After all He has done for me I pray that He finishes His work in me and grants me eternal life. He is the King of kings, Lord of lords and God of God's. The living God. The magnificent God. My Holy One. After all He has done for us, is He not worthy?

 

You are better than a preacher Amen.

The Lord is full of Mercy. And quick to forgive. If you do not find a scripture like that, mark this one as a new one.