I understand that there different school of thoughts in Christian theology on water baptism, there are those that argued baptism is needed to be saved (Mark 16:16) then there is another thought that it is by Grace and by Faith one is saved as outline by apostle Paul in Acts 16:31 and Romans 10:9. Likewise as what you've said about my choice..  I'm not here to stand in your way or to discount water baptism isn't important but to explain to you where I stand in theology.

With regards to the scripture you quoted, I hope this perhaps may help; why I stand on God's sovereign Grace, the work of Christ and granted through our Faith;

John 3:5 (NIV) - Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.

Born and Baptized are different words. The word "born" here means  to procreate or figuratively "regenerate", Baptism in water cannot "born" you so to speak, If you think about it..it's just water. Many a times in scripture God uses word to symbolize. Many a times...the phrase water is linked..specifically God's word and the work of the HS, on regenerates. Many a times also the word "save" does not necessarily denotes Salvation, it can also be used for the context of healing or wholeness. For me, Baptism in water symbolizes public declaration and it's purpose is to pledge of a clear conscience toward God. You will find this in

1 Peter 3:21 (NIV) - and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

You'll note that, in the end it is still "The work of Christ"..his resurrection that God accepts for Salvation. And do you know in

John 15:3 (NIV) - You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. <--do you see this?
Ephesians 5:26 (NIV) - to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,

Baptism in water is a public declaration to people as well as to the heavenly realms. If Baptism is the ROOT factor of Salvation then the thief wasn't baptized, how do you explain that? If you want to reuse God's Sovereign choice then as you already know...it's back to God's grace in the end. Whether you like it or not but that dying thief was the 1st person to be saved and because He was the first, don't you think it sets precedence? I do not believe for a moment, God's word is blurry or that there portions we can brush it off because God is sovereign so that thief is special case? Do you not agree with me, God wants us to know clearly how we are saved and God would not make mistake EVEN in saving that thief? No Right? God is perfect.

As for the washing away of sin..Only Christ blood is able to do so, not the water of baptism. I think if you read the book of Hebrews and Romans, in there you will find verse that repeatedly states The blood of Christ putting away sin. That is heavily emphasized.

John 6:54 (NIV) - Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.

Holy Communion is for the believer..that is quite clear, hence partaking of the bread and wine...which Christ symbolically make mention of his flesh and blood denotes that the believer has accepted God and is in union with God. One cannot have eternal life and neither will one partake the bread and the wine if the person has not accepted Christ to be his God and Savior, it would make no sense for an unbeliever to take H.Communion and suddenly have eternal life by the 'Partaking".

John 13:8 (NV) - "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."

Christ did not say..you have no part "IN" me..He said, you have no part "WITH" me..meaning Ministry, not Salvation. And Our Lord Christ did say...“You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” And John 13:10 [Jesus answered, "Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you."] & Ephesians 5:26 (as above) helps us to understand how that "later" is in the context....every time, God's word is preached or heard, it washes our conscious towards God.  Washing through word comes from either preaching of God's word or the believer spending time in God's word.

As for what you've said on Holy Spirit giving Birth to Spirit and the verses that you've quoted, I believe that is correct, hence nothing for me to disagree on.

Matthew 19:16
Mark 10:17-22

I've seen these portion is the most heavily misunderstood among christian, and has been repeated quite often. If you say that the 10 commandments are mandatory and required for salvation, how do you explain this verse then?

Galatians 5:4 (NIV) - You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.

Whether you like it or not, when you say; to have Eternal life, one must adhere to the 10 commandments, then Galatians 5:4 either is an error or it contradicts. It goes without saying, to adhere to 10 commandments is to be justified in the sense of righteousness and sin. Very hard to discredit and argue this isn't it?

But whatever the case, I will still explain to you why Christ gave that Young Rich Ruler God's Law instead of dispensing John 3:16, then you will understand Matthew 19:16 & Mark 10:17-22.

The Bible has repeatedly mention the purpose of God's law is show up one's sin. In fact in 1 Corinthians 15:56 (NIV) it says: The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. How do you explain the power of sin = law? I've seen some who tried to explain it in the past it's very hard to dissuade from the fact, God's Law empower sin.

With that being said, when The young rich ruler came to Christ...and Christ gave him the law..the reason is to bring that ruler to end of himself. Why? Because as I've said above, the purpose of God's law is show the person's sin. God designed His law for that sole purpose. It was never given to justify anyone. God's Law is holy but it cannot make anyone Holy. See this verse below

Romans 3:20 (NIV) - Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin

That is why that young rich ruler went away sad. This also explains why Christ said He didn't come to remove the Law but to fulfill it. The laws of God is here to stay for people who thinks they can be justified through their performance through self righteousness and through the laws of God.

Understand that Righteousness is a Gift. It's given to you on the basis of God's grace through your faith. You cannot purchase righteousness neither earn it by your deeds. Just imagine this, when someone gives you a gift for your birthday, it's a gift. You didn't buy it, neither did you work or earn it. As to what you've said on narrow road, that is in the context of Christ being the only way to God..it's not really talking about your hard journey. As for the sheep and Goat, it's refers to unbelievers and believers, that's all.

I stand by Salvation is by the Grace of God and nothing else. When you add in all these other factors....it is no longer by Grace but by conditions that one must adhere to it. This is what it means performance. It's not showy performance but your effort in doing, meaning if you don't you can't enter in. It hinges on what you do. The word "works" used in the Greek is "Ergon" meaning Man's deed or action, FYI the Gospel is about The grace of Chris, in that God recognizing Christ work on the cross, not yours.

What do I think about all these? Well Let the Grace of God change you from inside out..Salvation is given easy but the enemy will make life hard for you, that is the context of the cost of following Christ. There will be incidents design to discourage you or to put you down. Do you think this is from God? Definitely not, but the enemy? Yes.  Does the challenges disqualify you or what you do, how good are your performance will be the determining factor? For me..No, once you become a believer..in the course of life even if you fall here and there, it's not about my doings that grants me Salvation But Christ perfect blood holding me..even inspite of my imperfection.

The reality is this: Every believer is NEVER perfect, will fall, will sin here and there but the fact of the matter is, God will never depart his spirit, neither go back on His word to never reject the imperfect believer.

ps: Forgot to mention on the purpose of God's Law, why does God want to give the law to bring one to the end of himself? Well so that the person will concede and submit He needs a Savior because he  cannot save himself! With that being said..doing all these things, washing the feet, partaking the Holy Communion or even following the 10 commandment CANNOT save the person! (This may surprise you) Only Christ can..but the person MUST accept Christ represent Him.

God Bless u too sis.