I will leave you with scripture: Rom.1:5 "...grace...for the obedience to the faith"
Again, notice Paul said they HAVE (already) received grace and apostleship FOR/UNTO obedience to the faith. Just as in Ephesians 2:10, Paul said that we are created in Christ Jesus FOR/UNTO good works. We are clearly saved FOR good works, NOT by good works (Ephesians 2:8-10). In Romans 1:5, Paul did not say that they did not receive grace and apostleship until they produced "enough" obedience. We have access by FAITH into GRACE.. (Romans 5:2) not faith "and obedience." We are saved through faith first (root of salvation), then "unto" obedience/good works (fruit of salvation).
Rom.2:God ..."will render to each one according to his deeds. v7.Eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality;" v.8 "But to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness=indignation and wrath."v11."For there is no partiality with God."
If one reads Romans 2:6-10 in isolation from the rest of the book of Romans, one might conclude that Paul was teaching salvation by works. However, as you read and study these passages, it is imperative to keep in mind that these verses do not describe how one becomes saved, but the way the saved conduct their lives. These deeds done are the result of, not the means or basis of receiving salvation. So patient continuance in well doing, seeking for glory, honor, and immortality; (vs. 7) is not at all set forth as the means of their procuring eternal life, but as a
description of those to whom God does
render life eternal. Notice that
ALL who receive eternal life are
described as such,
everyone who does good (vs. 10). Good deeds flow from a heart that is saved and evil deeds flow from a heart that is unsaved. Verse 8 - but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness--indignation and wrath. Notice that
ALL who do not receive eternal life are
described as such,
everyone who does evil (vs. 9). What those passages convey is that though our deeds are judged by God, it's not the good deeds themselves which are the basis or means of our salvation, but the type of deeds expose whether our heart was saved, or not. These good deeds done out of faith are the fruit, not the root of our salvation. If Paul wanted to teach that we are saved by works, then he would have clearly stated that we are saved through faith
and works/deeds in Ephesians 2:8 and that we are justified by faith
and works/deeds in Romans 5:1 but that is clearly NOT what Paul said. Good deeds are produced out of faith, thus "everyone who does good." Deeds produced without faith are tainted with sin, thus "everyone who does evil." Without faith it is impossible to please God.
v13 "(For not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified:"
Are you seeking justification by the law? Verse 13 is often used by people (Roman Catholics, Mormons, etc.,) to say that we must obey the law (along with faith in Jesus) to be saved, but this isn’t so. Paul was talking to the Jews (Romans 2:17) about their judging of the Gentiles and then points them to their own law (standard of judgment) and hypocrisy and tells them that the doers of the Law are just before God (v. 13). The standard they wanted was to obey the law. They failed to understand that they could only be justified by the law BY PERFECTLY OBEYING ALL OF IT but they and all of us have failed. Paul was showing the self-righteous Jews who judged the Gentiles that they were not able to keep a perfect standard. They were hypocrites. This is why Paul tells us in the very next chapter in Romans 3:28 that we are
justified by faith apart from the works of the law. No one is able to perfectly obey the law. If you fail even once, then you become guilty of it all.
Romans 3:20 - Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Galatians 2:16 - knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. *Crystal clear. *You need to properly harmonize Scripture with Scripture before reaching your conclusions.
Rom.6:22 "But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness and the end, everlasting life." Please, Just read God's word and open your heart to be taught by the Spirit.!
You misinterpret this verse to mean that good works/fruit is the actual means of our salvation. The NAS reads - But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. There are three tenses to salvation. 1. Justification 2. Sanctification 3. Glorification. These three tenses often get mixed up by works salvationists. You have your fruit unto sanctification (ecete ton karpon umwn ei agiasmon). Freedom from sin and slavery to God bring permanent fruit that leads to sanctification. And the end eternal life (to de telo zwhn aiwnion).
