For those who say "you can't just believe and be saved" I say, yes, you can just believe and be saved. Not only that, but it's the only way to be saved. To simply believe on Jesus, on His finished work. How Jesus died for your sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day, according to the scriptures. So that statement suggests a lack of understanding of the most important thing there is to understand in life.
Some hear and believe, simply, and others are stumbled by this lack of understanding, and they may never believe until they come to understand the simplicity of the gospel.
I know, some have just lost their way and been deceived. Understand, nobody is saved by what they currently believe or say. They are saved, because Jesus saved them, when they first believed. We're told to follow God, not man, and to walk by faith, not sight. But many turn to what they can see and control themselves, following men, and sometimes large groups who they think know better, over God, and looking at themselves, insead of having faith. Perhaps that's easier for them, than faith, but they end up being led astray.
I can tell someone is saved by their testimony, of faith alone in the finished work of Christ, but I can't say the reverse, that because I don't see it, they're not saved. Jesus is faithful, always, and He knows exactly who belongs to Him, even when we can't always see it.
That said, it's concerning when someone doesn't have a clear understanding of the gospel, and even more concerning when they mock and ridicule the gospel.
So for the people making statements like that, that you can't just believe and be saved, or for those twisting words and definitions and putting heavy burdens on people that Christ has put on no one, it's your salvation I'm concerned about. If you haven't placed your faith in the finished work of Christ, and you reject it, you're rejecting the only thing that saves anybody. It's a picture that's painted in Hebrews 10, a warning against rejecting Christ's one perfect sacrifice.
Hebrews 10 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
People mocking and insulting the gospel, trampling the Son of God underfoot, to suggest that Jesus isn't fully capable of forgiving and saving someone completely the very first time someone believes on Him. To suggest that His finished work isn't finished, or that there is some sacrifice left to make. Suggesting that Jesus is lacking in some way and incapable. Jesus one, perfect sacrifice was accepted as payment for all sin, forever, and it's finished, and your own sacrifice is utterly rejected. There is no more sacrifice or payment for sin to be made.
The blood of Jesus is not a common thing. The blood of Jesus is fully holy, able to make all those covered by it, fully holy and righteous. It's the only thing that will. No one is holy or righteous in themselves.
Priests would stand daily, offering the same sacrifice repeatedly, that can never take away sins. Just as many today try to do seeking after an ever elusive uncertain salvation.
Jesus isn't going to get back up on the cross to be crucified again, nor is His blood bottled up somewhere to be continually reapplied to make repeated offerings for sin. Jesus offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, and sat down on the right hand of God. It's finished. Jesus one perfect sacrifice was accepted and there will be no further sacrifice for sin that is ever accepted. Jesus finished work is the only way of salvation, and if it's rejected, there is nothing else left, or any other way.
There is nothing to add to it. Faith alone, in Christ alone. Please don't reject it.
Many are offended that Jesus will save anybody by faith alone, in Him, disagreeing with God's method of righteousness, by faith in Jesus. Please don't be offended. It's the only way of salvation. Jesus came to save sinners. That's all of us. God knew us already, and our shortcomings, and loved us enough to make a way of salvation. It was His work to do. God didn't send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. Many don't agree with God's way of righteousness, by faith. If that's you, I pray you'll change your mind, and believe. That's repentance -- a change of mind, from whatever you were believing before to faith in Christ alone.
Jesus alone is the straight and narrow gate. Not according to the self righteous wisdom of man, but according to the wisdom of God. We're made fully righteous and holy, forgiven forever, by the finished work of Christ, by His one perfect sacrifice and offering of His blood.
Amen.