Whenever I apply the meditation of my heart to discerning the requirements for salvation, I find myself always coming to the same conclusion. Every man will be rewarded according to his works. Now, on paper this seems like I’m advocating works salvation, and that the only way to Heaven is if you tapdance EXACTLY the way I tell you to, and if you backslide in your tapdancing God will not give you the requisite 10/10 score required for entry. Point being, there is no such thing as a work men can perform that can get them into heaven, except of course the work of God, which is believing on the one He sent. However, our works are not finished after having believed. In fact, the act of belief is the newborn babe-in-Christ’s very first work and is the means by which more are performed. Further, those who actually believe grow stronger, bolder and more zealous with every passing day, beginning with only a seed’s worth of Godliness and, with time, the same Godliness becoming a great mustard tree. In essence, works of faith and fruits of the Spirit are evidence, they are evidence of the faith required for salvation. There are many pharisees in the world who would agree with my perspective on this issue, but then go on to emphasize the importance of certain works, declaring their absence a grave token of certain damnation. In response, I would say that the pharisee knows nothing, and even if he does know something, he doesn’t know it well enough to take Christ’s place as judge. Meaning, the guidance of the Spirit is all any of us should hearken to. Endless prayer enables us to consciously perform the will of our Father. On that note, there are many in this world who would tell you there are specific things that you should be doing, and if you aren’t you’re backsliding or neglecting your responsibilities. Again, we all have our place and our function, and the only opinion we should ascribe importance to is God’s. So, if you find yourself in a situation where the crowd is expecting you to observe their traditions, meet their expectations, or even obey their “laws,” if prayer confirms that you must disobey, then do so. You should follow God’s direction in spite of man’s perception of you. Also, for all of those who glory in their vast array of works: God is the strength of your back, the cunning of your hands, the light of your eyes, the fire of your heart, and the source of every idea, inspiration, intuition and success you have ever received. You have earned nothing, you deserve nothing, and you have done nothing. The very acceptance of primary causality is a work in itself, and God, in his unknowable grace, will reward us according to our works, even though they are indirectly performed by Him. In essence, it seems you are saved as soon as you believe, after which you begin a new life, follow a new path, and work for a new Master.