Acts 8 - Simon the sorcerer vs Philip

The effortless
And when Simon saw..., he offered them money, saying, "Give me this power also,..." (Acts 8:18-19).
Then Simon answered and said, "Pray to the Lord for me, ..." (Acts 8:24).

The effortful
Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. (Acts 8:5)
...heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. (Acts 8:6)
So he arose and went. (Acts 8:27)
So Philip ran to him, ... (Acts 8:30).
Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. (Acts 8:35)
And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. (Acts 8:38)
...he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea. (Acts 8:40)

Are we able to see the contrast?

In our life of faith today, are we more like Simon the sorcerer or Philip the evangelist? Do we put in the necessary effort in our faith?

Or, worse still, like how Simon the sorcerer tried to buy the gift of God with money, do we suppose that godliness is a means of gain (1 Timothy 6:5)?

Do we strive to enter through that narrow gate? Do we exercise ourselves towards godliness?

从 施 洗 约 翰 的 时 候 到 如 今 ， 天 国 是 努 力 进 入 的 ， 努 力 的 人 就 得 着 了 。(Matthew 11:12)

Many verses in the Bible suggest that believing in Jesus is not a sit-back-on-the-couch-and-enjoy-the-rewards faith.

While it is absolutely true that we are saved solely by grace, as true followers, we need also to repay the love of Christ and bear the cross together with Jesus.

Have we been sitting on the couch?