that is something legalists can't answer.
because if we are saved by good works, how much good works are required?
if sin disqualifies one, then what kind of sin and how many times?
just rational , reasonable questions that they can't answer. ( because their is no answer).
I agree with you and also ask the same questions.
From my experience and interaction I have noticed the following.
They do not quantify the number and very rarely qualify the works required.
The majority of the time if you talk about sheep and goats they quote back
Matthew 7:21-23
I Never Knew You
(Luke 6:46; 13:26, 27)
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
How those 2 relate I have no idea.
The difference between the 2 is that Jesus knew the sheep and vice versa, the goats were rejected because they did not do because they did not know Jesus.
Both call him Lord yet two was rejected.
The sheep asked "When did we? As did the goats.
So the sheep had good works, goats no works.
The sheep seem surprised.
I think they did do what Jesus because it was in their spiritual DNA. The Holy Spirit working in them to conform them to the image of Jesus, to help others out of LOVE.
The goats didn't because they do not love Jesus.
Legalists say "You must keep the commandments of Jesus to be saved"
When you actually look at it Jesus said "If you love me you will"
He also said "Love God and love others"
To love by implication involves relationship.
No love, no relationship.
Works are then to earn something we already have when it comes God.
Then we see that other things need to be done to be saved, water baptism, Holy Spirit baptism (heard that a few times, no idea what it means) keep the Sabbath, read your Bible every, quiet time every day, if for a period of time you do not forgive then you will not be and off to hell and the list could go on.
With regards to sin it amazes me how they ludicrousy focus on the big ones, like murder, rape, adultery and so on.
They say "So it's ok for a believer to do the above and they will still be saved?
Really?
Yet they neglect things like gossip, envy, jealousy, dissension.
Paul says
1 Corinthians 6:9
9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, (unrighteous = non believers)
1 Corinthians 6:11
11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
He is saying "You are belivers, now righteous, now walk in it"
The same applies to the so called minor things that legalists never address.
With regards of the number of sins they can't answer that either.
They quote sins of commission but neglect sins of omission.
Just like the goats did, that is why they are rejected.
They say sins of omission are not sins because we did not know that we did sin in that way.
That is not going to cut it when Jesus judged.
As the goats will find out.
Then they quote Heb:10-26.
Willfully sinning
If a person has a problem with a sin pattern that they can't overcome then salvation is in jeopardy.
All they see is an affect.
Yet they have no interest in looking at what is the cause of the effect.
They are written off.
There is no desire to help, walk with and get to know the person and the advice is "Just stop it"
This makes my blood boil.
Jesus dealt with my sever gambling addiction.
He did so by revealing the cause the affect.
I won't go into it fully but a lot of healing was needed.
But more significant was that he had to work in me to bring me to the point that I am loved by the Father, loved by him, I was secure, accepted.
When I truly understood this I was able to forgive my sexual abuser (Christian foster dad and a mother that threw me out when I was 13 and shocking memories as a child)
He healed me of all such things, reassured me that he is not the same as my life experiences. He takes me like I am.
Unlike those who had a major influence in my life that was contrary to the love of God.
Sorry for the long post.
Ranted and gone off in a tangent.