Replies

I do not dispute that there is nothing one can do to earn the salvation determined from the foundation of the world through the superabundant merits of Christ alone, as it is grace that moves us to good works:

34 Then shall the king say to them that shall be on his right hand: Come, ye blessed of my Father, possess you the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in: 36 Naked, and you covered me: sick, and you visited me: I was in prison, and you came to me.
(Matthew 25)

I would, however, dispute that works of love have nothing to do with it. This is where Christ answers the direct question on what one must do for salvation:

16 And behold one came and said to him: Good master, what good shall I do that I may have life everlasting? 17 Who said to him: Why asketh thou me concerning good? One is good, God. But if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 18 He said to him: Which? And Jesus said: Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness. 19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 20 The young man saith to him: All these I have kept from my youth, what is yet wanting to me? 21 Jesus saith to him: If thou wilt be perfect, go sell what thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come follow me.
(Matthew 19)

From this we learn that faith needs to be formed by obedience to Divine moral law, works of charity, and a life of total discipleship.

This is where St. James directly addresses the question of the role of works of love:

20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, offering up Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou, that faith did co-operate with his works; and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled, saying: Abraham believed God, and it was reputed to him to justice, and he was called the friend of God. 24 Do you see that by works a man is justified; and not by faith only?
(James 2)

I am, of course, aware of the passages in Romans and Galatians where St. Paul explains that works done for reward, or works of ceremonial law, do not count for salvation. My advice to the Protestants that are quick to quote them in defense of the error of "sola fide" is to read these letters to the end, where they will find exhortations to works of charity, according to St. Paul, the greatest theological virtue.

I would also dispute that one cannot possibly lose his faith and therefore his salvation; here for example, St. Paul describes just such an occurence:

war in them a good warfare, 19 Having faith and a good conscience, which some rejecting have made shipwreck concerning the faith. 20 Of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander, whom I have delivered up to Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
(1 Timothy 1)