There are the works of the law and their are the works of faith.
When it comes to the moral aspect of the law, you cannot dissect works of faith from the law and teach that we are saved by "these" works (works of faith) but just not "those" works (works of the law). In James 2:15-16, the example of a "work" that James gives is: "If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?" To give a brother or sister these things needed for the body would certainly be a "work of faith" yet to neglect such a brother or sister and not give them the things needed for the body is to
break the second great commandment "love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39)
as found written in the law of Moses. (Leviticus 19:18)
In Matthew 22:37-40, we read: Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'
On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets. Now please explain to me which works of faith/good works could a Christian accomplish which are "completely detached"
from these two great commandments which are found in the law of Moses? (Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18). *NOWHERE does the Bible teach we are saved by grace through faith "plus works of faith." That is salvation by works no matter how much you try and sugar coat it.
If you look at the context Paul is is always referring to the works of law.
Again, when it comes to the moral aspect of the law, you cannot dissect works of faith/good works from the law. (Matthew 22:37-40) The apostle Paul does not merely limit "works" only to specific works of the law, but
includes works in general. In Titus 3:5, we read that it is
not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us.. and in 2 Timothy 1:9, we read that God saved us and called us with a holy calling
not according to our works..
That is in not way rejecting the works of faith by which you are saved and become children of Abraham who was saved by works. not the works of the law but the works of faith AKA loving and obeying God.
So you clearly teach salvation by works. Where does the Bible say that man is saved by works of faith? So how much love and obedience does it take?
Romans 4:2 - For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham
believed God, and it (faith, not works) was
accounted to him for righteousness.” 4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. 5 But to him who
does not work but
believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, 6 just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom
God imputes righteousness apart from works. *So much for salvation by works.
Which Jesus says if you love me you will keep my commandments and my father will come to you and we will make our home with you (The receiving of the holy spirit).
You have it backwards. Believers "keep" (Greek word "tereo" - guard, observe, watch over) His commandments BECAUSE we are saved and have received the Holy Spirit and not in order to become saved and receive the Holy Spirit. 1 John 2:3 - By this
we know that we have come to know Him, (already know Him/already saved/demonstrative evidence) if we "keep" (guard observe, watch over) His commandments. 4 The one who
says, “I have come to know Him,” and
does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. We receive the Holy Spirit when we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ/believe the gospel/place faith in Christ alone for salvation. (Acts 11:17; 15:7-9; Ephesians 1:13)
Their are always Hyper works people who reject a faith that works and do nothing with the Salvation Christ has provided.
All genuine believers are fruitful, yet not all are equally fruitful. (Matthew 13:23) Those who do nothing/produce no works at all have not been truly converted. Faith without works is dead. (James 2:14-18)
They are like the unfaithful servant, the man who was freely given only one coin and did not put to work what he was given.
Rather he buried it in the dirt for fear his works of faith would be unacceptable. HE know what God required of him yet still he did nothing with it not even putting it in the bank for interest (Christ likeness in himself). Then the master took away what was his and the man was sent to hell as a result because there is no weeping or pain in heaven.
In regards to the parable of the unprofitable servant, the fact that the latter man in this parable is called "wicked" and "lazy" and an "unprofitable" servant (Matthew 25:26-30) who is "cast out into outer darkness," certainly indicates that he was
not a true disciple of the master. The idea of this illustrative parable is that all true believers will produce fruit in varying degrees. Again, all genuine believers are fruitful, but not all are equally fruitful. (Matthew 13:23)
Those who produce no results at all were not truly converted.
The first two servants deposited their talents with the bankers (Matthew 25:27)
but the third servant buried his talent in the ground. (Matthew 25:25) The third servant had been given a talent according to his ability and the opportunity to believe and bear fruit in accordance, but chose to reject it. This man's characterization of the master maligns him as "reaping and gathering what he had no right to claim as his own." This wicked so-called servant does not represent a genuine believer and it's obvious that he had no true knowledge of the master.
Two of these servants were children of God, but not the third. Children of God are not cast out into outer darkness.
*The fact that this man is called a "servant" does not necessarily mean that he was saved. *The
children of Israel were called
"servants," but they were not all saved.
Leviticus 25:55 - For the
children of Israel are servants to Me; they are
My servants whom I brought out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.
Nehemiah 1:6 - please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now, day and night, for the
children of Israel Your servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against You. Both my father’s house and I have sinned.
Isaiah 43:10 - “You (Israel vs. 1) are My witnesses,” says the Lord, And
My servant whom I have chosen..
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