... the witness of Scripture which tells us that we will not be saved without mercy, without love, without forgiveness of others, and to be blunt, without works. How do you resolve this conflict?
The more Protestant formulation is that God requires faith from men/women ... that they should be saved ...John 6:28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?Having then faith in Jesus Christ, ... the believer will perform works which are pleasing in God's sight.
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
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Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Such is the promise of Jesus, Himself ...John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.Such is not difficult to accept, ... since, as believers in Jesus Christ, ... we are re-made in Christ's image ...
Our old life is passed away ... God makes everything about us new ...2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.The scriptures go on to say that God, Himself, will finish the work of salvation which He has begun in us (believers).Philippians 1:3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,Now ... as new creations in Christ, we are, indeed, called upon to live according to the salvation which has been given unto us.
4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
We (believers) love and obey Him, not to obtain salvation ... but, because He has loved us ... and has saved us.1 John 4:19 We love Him, ... because He first loved us.