According to...?
According to...?
That one is justified due to the merit of his works, or that the faith which is counted for righteousness is vindicated as being so by works of faith (things which accompany salvation" - Heb. 6:9) with continued impenitent sin testifying to the contrary?
One one hand you have such statements as teach that the one justified by the good works that he performs by the grace of God truly merits the attainment of eternal life itself (Trent, Canons Concerning Justification, Canon 320 and another that it is "
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost." (Titus 3:5)
Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (Romans 4:4-5)
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
A soul is made accepted in the Beloved on His account, while one who forsakes Christ does not lose Heaven due to a lack of personal merit, as per Catholicism, in which souls need to attain to perfection of character in purgatory in order to enter Heaven, but because they forsook the very faith which appropriated justification, and thus forfeit what faith appropiated. (Gal. 5:1-4; Heb. 3:12; 10:25-39) But God rewards obedient faith in the light of its works, which justify faith as salvific.
Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. (Hebrews 10:35)
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: (Matthew 25:34-35)