[metmom]

If the works of the Law handed down by God Himself couldn't save, what makes you think your works will?

Works are the result of true saving faith. The problem with the theology that works save is that then Jesus didn't have to die. We could have done it on our own.

Luke 18:9-149 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’

13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Both believed in God. One had works, the other didn't.

The one who went away justified was NOT the one who had the works.

Salvation is by grace through faith so that NO MAN CAN BOAST.

If you get in on your works at all, it gives you something to boast about before God, angels, and men.

Besides, it only takes one sin to condemn us. It's far too late for anyone to get in by works, even if we spent the rest of our lives in sinless perfection. Read more of James 2, like the first part of the chapter.

[NKP_Vet]

Are you saved?” asks the Fundamentalist. The Catholic reply: “As the Bible says, I am already saved (Rom. 8:24, Eph. 2:5–8), but I’m also being saved (1 Cor. 1:18, 2 Cor. 2:15, Phil. 2:12), and I have the hope that I will be saved (Rom. 5:9–10, 1 Cor. 3:12–15). Like the apostle Paul I am working out my salvation in fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12), with hopeful confidence in the promises of Christ (Rom. 5:2, 2 Tim. 2:11–13).”

[Titanites]

The problem with the theology that works save is that then Jesus didn't have to die.

That is an invented conflict of those who do not trust in the Scriptures.

2 Peter 1:1-12 Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that [pertain] to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption [that is] in the world through lust. But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, [you will be] neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth.

No, the things in the above paragraph do not come automatically with faith. It is not faith alone or we would not need to be reminded that we must "do these things" to make our "election sure".

For if you do these things you will not stumble.