Mailmandan,
Continuation......
We have been saved from the penalty of sin through faith "justification" and we are being saved from the power of sin "ongoing sanctification". There are three tenses to salvation 1. Justification 2. Sanctification 3. Glorification. These tenses usually end up getting mixed up by those who teach salvation by works.
The first two are actually, for protestants who tend to look at the negative side, what prevents one from going to hell. The third one is the result of being faithful, the end result of our working out our salvation.
For me, Christ saved all of us/the world from death and sin. He overcame the fall, the condemnation of death through Adam. Thus we are saved (past tense).
We were saved so that man could fulfill the purpose of our existence, namely to be in union with God in this world and for an eternity. Thus union is through faith. Man freely joining with Christ and working with Christ in this world for which we were created. That is being saved, the present tense. If we remain faithful, we shall be saved, or inherit the promise at the end, glorification.
What will works determine for believers at the judgment? 1 Corinthians 3:13 each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; (of reward) but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
Yes, we will be purified. We cannot enter heaven with some of the impurities in our lives. We have done some things,(works) that were not in faith. Whatever we have left of those they will be burned.
I already clearly explained that man is saved through faith and not by works, yet genuine faith is substantiated and confirmed by good works. That is the balance that you seem to have out of balance, namely, salvation by works.
Incorrect. It is your misunderstanding or fear of using the word "works". Part of your misunderstanding is that you have already been saved (past tense) by Christ overcoming your condemnation to death through Adam. Works cannot save you from death and sin. That is what the "law of works" is always addressing. It is NEVER addressing the works of faith, or what Paul terms, the Law of faith. It is not faith alone which is meaningless. You are not saved by faith, but are being saved through faith and that involves works. Without the works whatever faith you think you have, is meaningless. So it is the works that we do that ensures our salvation through faith. It is the works for which we will give an account, not our faith.
Works are the fruit of faith, not the essence of faith. This is critical to understand.
It is the content of faith. Without the works you have no faith. You cannot separate them. The NT never separates them.
Faith that trusts in Christ "alone" for salvation and faith that remains "alone" in producing good works are two separate alone's in connection with two different things.
You don't need any faith to be saved by Christ alone. He saved all men from death and sin. You or any individual cannot add or effect anything to do with Christ's work.
If you are saying that one needs to trust Christ and not something else for salvation that would be correct, but that does not address the work issue. Christ needs YOU, your commitment to be in union with Him. That part of our salvation is NEVER alone, it is always a synergistic, cooperative covenantal relationship entered in this life, and if faithful, will inherit eternal life with Christ.
I'm not sure why you seem to try to work an end-around regaring faith/works. You have stated it correctly a couple of times, but then for whatever reason, you seem to deny it and try to say it another way.
