common ground
- heaven exist
- salvation is important
- humans are capable of "good works"
- the Bible is true <-- agreeing with this one is very important
Scriptures and explanation
Apostle Paul's Lament
Romans 7:24 - What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?
Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned
Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death
if we put the two together for Romans 3:23 and Romans 6:23
both are trying to say "all deserve death"
hence, what Apostle Paul is talking about "subject to death"
the most common object is, "I performed a church ritual, I do church, I live and breathe church, ur in ch__ch, I should be fine"
but here are two verses, that I highly doubt that you can wrestle against with much success.
1 John 1:8 - If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
1 Cor 10:12 - So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!
and I believe 1 Cor 12:10 is a critical verse for this one, to obey it, we must never think that we are standing firm (sin is still possible), hence, refuting "sinless perfectionism"
Romans 12:3 - be sober-minded
incase if we think that works can fix that problem
consider Isaiah 64:6
Isaiah 64:6 - all our righteous acts are like filthy rags
for trying to work for salvation, this is not looking good
the answer why, is found in 1 Cor 13:3
1 Cor 13:3 - If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
incase if you want to say, "our heart is holy", consider Jeremiah 17:9
Jeremiah 17:9 - The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
I believe that this scripture-based proof is air-tight, straightforward direct proof, unless if you willfully misinterpret them (I hope not)
If for a moment, you allow yourself to assume that this proof is airtight, you'll realize the truth of Matt 19:26
Matt 19:26 - With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
with man, it's impossible for works to achieve salvation,
with God, all things, (including your salvation) is possible
in conclusion, Not by Works, but faith in God's grace
Q.E.D. (in theory, I can rest my case, hopefully the theory that "I can rest my case" can be true)