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Perhaps you would be kind enough to respond again, limiting your essay to the words of Jesus, minus the interpretation. I remain unconvinced that Jesus did not intend for our faith to be embodied in our actions towards others, particularly towards the poor and less fortunate.

"I remain unconvinced that Jesus did not intend for our faith to be embodied in our actions towards others, particularly towards the poor and less fortunate."

Did I say that? Of course Jesus intends for our faith to result in actions towards others. It's what He desired all along. If we did that, we wouldn't need Jesus.

But if you think that your actions towards others are good enough to earn you righteousness, you should think again. Because God says none are righteous. Our righteousness comes from the imputation of Jesus's righteousness.

Actually that same passage address this in the words of Jesus.

Math 19:16 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.

Jesus affirms that none are righteous except God. Note also Jesus didn't deny being good, he effectively challenged the man to either accept Him as God or quit calling Him good. If none are righteous, how then do we become righteous? what does John 3 say?

Perhaps it will be clearer to you if I put it this way.

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law James 3:17 - But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

If you aren't every one of these traits 100% pure all the time, then you have sin in your life. You are failing to love God and others and you should. And even if you do, but you have failed to do them in the past, then you still have unforgiven sin in your life, unless you accept Jesus.

Of course Jesus expects your faith to result in these things. But righteousness comes either from being Holy or being forgiven.

Christians are forgiven. They do not have to do works to earn their salvation. They already have it. But as Paul said, "Should we sin that Grace should abound? Heaven forbid!"

The proper response to being wash free of sin and not having it imputed to you anymore is to go out and do what's right, or at least try. Not just to wallow in sin because you are forgiven. However if you wallow, grace will abound. Chastisement will too.