For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
James Kraft
The law was given to Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
First John 2:2 For he is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but for the sins of the whole world.
The good news. Jesus died for sinners. John 3:16-18. Jesus did not come into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. Acts 16:31.
Romans 4:5 Faith alone apart from works. The thief on the cross was saved the instant he repented, changed his mind and believed Jesus was the savior of the world. The Jews Messiah.
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, First Corinthians 15:1-4, for it is the POWER of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, physical death, but the GIFT of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. The GIFT of God is eternal life. Not a reward for good behavior, but a FREE GIFT. Paid in full by the GIVER. John 3:18.
There is only one reason I am going to heaven and that is because I accepted His free gift 74 years ago. The GIFT of God is eternal life. No one can earn it. Romans 11:6. All grace no works. Our works can not save sinners. Only Jesus finished work on the cross paid for all our sin debt, past, present and future sins. Romans 4:7-8. John 3:18.