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I am saying that Christians who perform actions that are meritorious (feeding the hungry, comforting the afflicted, etc.) are doing something entirely different than Jews following the Law given at Sinai. When Christians discuss faith v works, it is not about following the Law at all. We all agree that the Law did not provide righteousness. That is what Paul is saying in the passage you misunderstand. It has nothing to do with the need for Christians to do good things in order to make their faith real and not merely an empty confession. SD

"When Christians discuss faith v works, it is not about following the Law at all." etc.

Really? So -- are you saying that when a Christian acts in accordance with the Law of God, that is not a Good Work? Or, are you saying that when a believing Old Testament Jew acted in accordance with the Law of God, that was not a Good Work?

Let's use some specific Laws for example, from the 613 laws of the Old Testament:

LAW 195: Give charity to the poor (Lev. 25:35, 36; Deut. 15:8).
LAW 200: Pay the worker his wages on time (Deut. 24:15).
LAW 203: Help must be given to load man or beast when necessary (Deut. 22:4).
LAW 206: It is required to love one’s neighbor as oneself (Lev. 19:18).
LAW 248: The persecuted are to be rescued even if it means killing the oppressor (Num. 27:8).

Which of the above Actions would NOT be a Good Work, for a Christian? Or...
Which of the above Actions would NOT be a good work for a believing Old Testament Jew?

You say "When Christians discuss faith v works, it is not about following the Law at all" in order to escape the trap into which the Council of Trent has snared you, as regards Galatians 2:16. But I don't think you can sustain your argument -- I don't think it holds water.

Nonetheless, I'm giving you a chance to maintain your argument that "When Christians discuss faith v works, it is not about following the Law at all": I've listed 5 Laws of God above, from the Old Testament, as Test Case examples. You tell Me which of these Laws, it is not a Good Work for a Christian to practice.

Hmmm?

You seem not to be listening.

Arguing about specific actions is beside the point. The point is that the Law did not bring righteousness. That is what Paul says.

You misread this entirely to try to turn it into an anti-Roman polemic.

Is it a "good work" to refrain from pork products? Is it a "good work" to shun your wife during here menses? Is it a "good work" to sacrifice a turtledove upon your firstborn?

Christians follow the Spirit in doing good for their neighbors. Not the Law. It shouldn't take a Catholic to explain to you the difference between the Old and New Covenants. Really.

Christians following the Spirit and doing "good things" are to be rewarded and such good things are necessary for our faith to be real and for our salvation. It has nothing to do with Galatians and the verse you wrench out of context.

I'm beginning to believe you aren't pulling my leg.