A doctor exhorts us to "breath deeply," but does that mean we breath because we choose to breath or that we could hold our breath and still live?
Or is breathing a reflexive action endemic to our humanity?
If we are reprobate, even any semblance of good works will be for naught and remain "as filthy rags."
If we have been acquitted and redeemed by Christ, we will perform good works because they result from the sanctifying efforts of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Good works are evidence of our salvation; not a requirement for it.
Tsk tsk. Scripture, please. The generator broke?
A doctor exhorts us to "breath deeply," but does that mean we breath because we choose to breath or that we could hold our breath and still live?
We can choose to breath deeply or shallowly, hence the doctor exhorts us. We cannot choose not to breath, hence the doctor does not exhort people to simply breath. Now, the Gospel exhorts us to do good works, and links it to our judgement, because, just like that patient, we have a choice in the matter and the choice affects the judgement.