[boatbums]

Condescension aside, I understand all too well the Roman Catholic doctrine regarding salvation by faith and works. What you seem to fail to understand is that those who have come from that religious expression into the light of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ do not automatically forget their previous teachings. You say the "Catholic" belief is that we are saved by God's grace. Well and good. If not for his grace towards us, we would have no hope of redemption. But grace is God's action towards us and, in order for grace to be grace, it means that it is offered freely. Grace (charis), by its very definition, means the state of kindness and favor towards someone, often with a focus on a benefit given to the object. In other words, by an act of mercy and love, God chose to redeem us from condemnation, not because of our own merit or worth but because of his grace. Consequently, he also spells out to us how we acquire this grace, which is called a gift. Romans 5:1,2 says: Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand. So we access grace by faith, according to Scripture.

My point was that you cannot make a gift a reward for works, it no longer is grace but is instead deserved or earned. Grace is God's gift to us which we then receive by faith. You may choose to deny it but God is definitely clear in his word that faith is what he expects of us and our actions become an outgrowth of the work of the Holy Spirit within us. The place of works in a Christian's life is as evidence of the new nature. To claim that works supplement faith in the receiving of the gift is to cast aside the grace of God in favor of human merit. Trusting in anything else than the blood of Jesus Christ to save us from our sins is rejecting the gift of eternal life.

[annalex]

God chose to redeem us from condemnation, not because of our own merit or worth but because of his grace. Consequently, he also spells out to us how we acquire this grace, which is called a gift. Romans 5:1,2 says: Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand. So we access grace by faith, according to Scripture.

Yes. This is all true and you did retain it from the Catholic Church.

To claim that works supplement faith in the receiving of the gift is to cast aside the grace of God in favor of human merit

Both faith and good works is what we do under grace. You are correct when you say that "our actions become an outgrowth of the work of the Holy Spirit within us" but the same applies to faith also. We are not saved by merely responding to grace with faith but also by choosing to do those good works, -- we are not saved by faith alone but we are saved by grace alone:

[5] Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together in Christ, (by whose grace you are saved,) [6] And hath raised us up together, and hath made us sit together in the heavenly places, through Christ Jesus. [7] That he might shew in the ages to come the abundant riches of his grace, in his bounty towards us in Christ Jesus. [8] For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, for it is the gift of God; [9] Not of works, that no man may glory. [10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus in good works, which God hath prepared that we should walk in them. (Eph. 2)

by works faith was made perfect (James 2:22)

[6] Who will render to every man according to his works. [7] To them indeed, who according to patience in good work, seek glory and honour and incorruption, eternal life: [8] But to them that are contentious, and who obey not the truth, but give credit to iniquity, wrath and indignation. [9] Tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that worketh evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Greek. [10] But glory, and honour, and peace to every one that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Romans 2)