"It does not get any plainer..........Our righteous works have "ZERO" to do with Salvation!"
The issue is "not by works" When I was "born again" not by earthly seed; did my works play a part of my spiritual rebirth.
No I simply believed; "They replied, Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household" Acts16:31
After we are saved; do works keep us saved; I say no; we are saved unto good works not by them; "not by works, so that no one can boast. "For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life." Eph2:8-10 We are saved "unto good works," not by them.
My wife and I volunteered through our church to assist missionaries to preach and teach the gospel for the mountain tribes in Thailand; Do we count on that as a merit of works to keep us saved; of course not; it was the love of God shed abroad in our hearts. Apostle Paul said this; "What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ." Phil3:8
"You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace." Gal.5:4
"So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith." Gal3:24
"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
Matt.11:29
"For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.
And His commandments are not burdensome,"
1 John 5:3
"And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the very commandment you have heard from the beginning,
that you must walk in love." 2 John 1:6
Salvation by Grace,
"plus my works", is as foolish as Cain who brought his good works to God; Able's sacrifice was acceptable, Can's was not; "
but on Cain and his offering God did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? Gal.4:5,6
Both Cain and Able had works; one was acceptable to God, one was not. The folks who put forth a "works gospel" are as wrong as Cain. Their sacrifice come's from "Pride" the original sin. It is foolish and dangerous for anyone to rely on your own good works, to keep you saved; plus it will have long term harmful effects.
Works cannot save you; works cannot keep you saved; and works will not gain you entrance to heaven. Of course the salvation plus my works people, (Like Cain), will be angry with God, this has been going on for a long time; In their heart they say like Cain; I am smart enough and good enough to keep myself being saved. The idea of; I am the Captain of my own ship, is foolish and worldly wisdom.
"The Lord hath not cast away his people which he foreknew" (Romans 11:2).
He chose us from eternity, and He will love us throughout eternity. He loved us so as to die for us, and we may therefore be sure that His love will never die. His honor is so wrapped up in the salvation of the believer that He can no more cast him off than He can cast off His own robes of office as King of glory. No, no! The Lord Jesus, as a Head, never casts off His members; as a Husband, He never casts off His bride. Did you think you were cast off? Why did you think so evil of the Lord who has betrothed you to Himself? Cast off such thoughts, and never let them lodge in your soul again..