It seems Jesus is teaching a works based faith.
Jesus used the Law to convict people that they fail to live up to the Law.. As Paul did.. The Law acts to lead one to know they need the intervention of God to be saved.. The incident of the young man who asked Jesus what good thing he could do to have eternal life is a good example of this.. read the following passage it is all in context::
(Matthew 19:16-26) "¶ And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master,
what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? {17} And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. {18} He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, {19} Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. {20} The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? {21} Jesus said unto him,
If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven:
and come and follow me. {22} But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. {23} ¶ Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. {24} And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. {25} When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying,
Who then can be saved? {26} But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them,
With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."
The young man was a works salvation believer, that is why he asked Jesus what good thing
he could do so that
he could achieve eternal life.. Jesus then started working on the young man with the
Law but the young man was confident he had kept the law, so Jesus knowing the young man then upped the level by telling him he needed to
be perfect, to go sell all his goods and give the money to the poor,, But note Jesus
also told him to
become His follower.. The young man was wealthy and could not bring himself to sell all he had.. But that was not the end of the episode because the disciples where shocked not knowing how anyone can be saved for who can live up to the level of
perfection? Then Jesus made His critical statement, that ""
with men it is impossible ( works salvation) but
with God all things are possible( Grace salvation)"" showing that men cannot save themselves but only the LORD can save men..