This was meant to be a comment on "Get Peace" by ... an unnamed blogger, but it wasn't approved. Then I got an email from her explaining it was an old article and that she'd write a new one to replace it.
We have each been given a measure of faith by God (Romans 12:3 i).
Brothers and sisters in Christ have been given this measure. Everyone else has not.
Jesus became flesh and willingly gave up His life, not to bring religion to man, but to bridge the expanse between mankind and God, thereby restoring our relationship with Him.
The Bible says He prayed for it to not happen, (Mark 14:36 ii) and that its purpose was to pay for the sins of the world. (John 1:29 iii) Not that He wanted to do it iv and that it was to "bridge the expanse." v
It is only by this grace that we can be saved from eternal separation from God (Romans 3:24 vi).
It is eternal destruction in the lake of fire (Jude 7 vii) that He saves from, and also causes. (Romans 11:36 viii)
Jesus desires that we place our burdens on Him, that we might truly find peace and joy (Matthew 11:28-30 ix).
The referenced verse says the opposite: that we are to take on His burden, but that it is an easy burden. Moreover, He says we must take up our own burden daily. (Luke 9:23 x)
Father, I’ve come home. Please make me Your child. I turn from my sin. I accept Your forgiveness made possible through Jesus Christ by His death and resurrection.
You aren't forgiven if you haven't asked for forgiveness, xi and if you haven't also kept His commandments. (1 John 3:22 xii)
Jesus said in Matthew 10:32, “Therefore, everyone who acknowledges Me before men and confesses Me, I will also acknowledge him before My Father Who is in Heaven and confess that I am abiding in him.” If you’ve just said this prayer for the first time let me know! Welcome to the family!
Not everyone who says things like this are brothers and sisters in Christ. (Matthew 7:21 xiii)
- Romans 12:
3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
- Mark 14:
36 And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”
- John 1:
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
Darwin: He did also willingly give up His life. John 10:
17 “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. 18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”
Darwin: Even though it is not worded like this, I wouldn't argue over the wording. He did it so that we might "have peace with God." (Romans 5:1)
- Romans 3:
24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
- Jude:
7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
- Romans 11:
36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.
- Matthew 11:
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
- Luke 9:
23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
Darwin: I don't know that I would want to put it quite like that. I can't think of a verse that puts it that way. ^
- 1 John 3:
22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.
- Matthew 7:
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
Just thought (even though you retracted your "if you haven't asked forgiveness" comment) I'd add here that Jesus often forgave without being asked to forgive (Matthew 9:1-2, Mark 2:5). 1 John 1:9 specifically says if we confess our sins, he is faithful to forgive us, not that we must confess to be forgiven. The only hint I can remember at what we might need to ensure we do for forgiveness is forgive others Mark 11:25. It only seems that faith in general was required.
Also I want to note here that obedience to the commandments isn't a prerequisite for forgiveness of sins. Blood sacrifice is (Hebrews 9:22), and it was paid by Christ (Hebrews 10:14-18)
Counter verse to your point: 1 Corinthians 12:3
To your counter point, who is being called Lord? Many profess belief in a false Christ. Also, God can and does make wicked people do and say good things. From our home page: