[Old Yeller]

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9

Why is it not by any works?
1. Because if someone could boast about having something to do with their own salvation through works, then God would be sharing His glory with a creature.
2. Because if a person could boast about having something to do with his own salvation, pride enters the picture.
3. Because if a person could boast about having something to do with their own salvation, it diminishes the work of the cross, where Jesus declared it is finished.
4. Because if our salvation depends (even partially) upon our own effort, we can never have assurance of our salvation. This is why when you ask most Catholics if they will go to heaven when they die, the best they can respond is "I hope so". Why is that? Because no one know how much works is enough. It becomes a points-based system where you have to do more good than bad. The bible says in multiple places we can have assurance of our salvation, because we are putting our trust in Him. I won't even get into the false teaching of that "safety net" called purgatory.

I am so grateful to the Lord for rescuing me from the Church of Rome.

[MHGinTN]

Thanks be to God ... see you in the clouds! Because God imputed the righteousness of Christ to me the hour I first believed, there is not one smideon of righteousness I couod add by any works I could do. To Him be the glory, I stand upon the Promise from God Who cannot lie and does not go back on His Word. [ 1 John 3:9 ]

[NorthStarOkie]

Good post — Thank you.
You are correct — Works do not earn salvation.
Christian works follow the event of becoming a Christian and as James says, “I will show you my faith *BY* my works.”