If & Then
As a young person I think I was overly impressed with the Biblical teaching that salvation is a free gift of God, and that there was nothing we could do to earn our salvation. While these are true statements, for the sake of high volume evangelism it was not often enough stressed to new converts that there are conditions which God the Father requires of us if we truly want to be a part of His Kingdom. The "taking up your cross" and "dying to self" parts were actually de-emphasized (though unintentional I'm sure) when the main pitch was "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life" if you just pray the sinner's prayer asking God's forgiveness. The repentance from sin part and behavioral issues were just growth concerns for those wanting to go deeper and perhaps get fanatical about their faith. Many Christian converts of the "Jesus Movement" of the late 60's/early 70's were invited to join the Everlasting Thr