[BibChr]

Actually, post 172 pretty well already answered your question.

And the difference is literally that between Heaven and Hell. If salvation is won partly by efforts, works, rituals on our part, then it is not (as the Bible says) by grace alone, through faith alone, so that all the glory goes to God alone.

Whether our works are a cause of salvation, however large or small, or a result of salvation, is the difference between a false, damning, heretical non-Gospel, and the saving Gospel of Christ found in the Bible (Galatians 1:8-10).

Now Judge Bork gets wet, and chucklingly praises the water for rinsing off his sin. I can't see anyone HONESTLY saying that this in any way indicates a man captivated by the saving grace of God in Jesus Christ, poor in spirit and broken by conviction of his sin, overflowing with joyous gratitude to the Triune God for the work of Jesus Christ on the Cross, saving him by God's sheer grace.

And, to your last question, as James and Paul both indicate, a faith which does not RESULT IN works and obedience is not saving faith. A believer will obey; if he doesn't, he has "faith," not faith.

Dan

[PFKEY]

Many people struggle over the notion of grace, faith and works. I list them in that order because that is indeed how they work.

Saved by grace through faith shown by works.

This is no great insight on my part or your part just a simple reading of scripture.

As you know it's all in there.