Might wanna brush up on your study of grammar to see that "like" is a comparison and not a declarative tool of speech.
"You folks"? Really? I didn't think that kind of language was PC these days, but suit yourself.
So.... we are not forgiven of past sins when we become Believers in Jesus? Thanks for hipping me to that.
As to bypassing the NT, I must disagree. What it comes down to is that if there's a contradiction in the interpretation between what God/Jesus says and Paul, I'm going with the former and not the latter.
There is no contradiction between Jesus and Paul,for Paul said that no man told him the truth,but he received it by Jesus Christ.
When Paul is saying anything concerning not saved by works,or we cannot live up to the law,he is talking according to the flesh,for by the flesh we do not have the power to keep the spiritual laws perfectly,but only by the Spirit.
The Bible says if we are led of the Spirit,we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh,and will show the characteristics of the Spirit,which then there is no law.
If we are led of the Spirit we are not under the law,because our sins are forgiven,and we are abstaining from sin,therefore the law cannot touch us for prosecution,but if a person that claims Christ lives in sin they will not give up,they are under the law,and the law can touch them for prosecution,which the Bible says if we sin willfully,which means not give up sin,then there is no more sacrifice for that sin,until the person repents of that sin.
When led of the Spirit then we have to have works of the Spirit,for a man is justified by works,and not faith alone,for faith without works is dead.
People should not confuse when Paul is talking according to us walking in the flesh,to us walking in the Spirit,for when Paul says not saved by works,he is saying that all our works we do to think we have a relationship with God,apart from Christ,or apart from the operation of the Spirit,will not save us,but we have to confess Christ,which is a gift of God,and when we are saved we have to have works of the Spirit to have faith active in our life,which the Bible says quench not the Spirit,and do not grieve the Holy Spirit,and when we have faith active in our life led by the Spirit,then we are not under the law,for the law cannot touch us for prosecution.
Paul said we do not void out the law through faith,but we establish the law,and the law is spiritual,holy,just,and good,the moral laws,laws of love,and any law that is a spiritual law has to be obeyed,for it is spiritual in the New Testament,where is could not be like that in the Old Testament for they could not be led of the Spirit as in the New Testament.
People should understand when Paul is talking according to us walking in the flesh,not saved by works,cannot live up to the law,and James talking according to us walking in the Spirit,a man is justified by works,and not faith alone,and faith without works is dead.
There is no contradiction between Jesus and Paul,and look how many times Paul rebuked people,and told them to act right,which he said to the Galatians,having begun in the Spirit,are you made perfect by the flesh.
Paul even said himself if he did not keep under his body,which is to abstain from sin,he would be a castaway,which the Bible says work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.