More distortions. (I know, old myths die hard.) I never said "keep", that is a term that has been unsuccessfully injected into the discussion several times now. I resisted the first attempt to to impose it on actual Catholic teaching and will continue to do so. Where there are no Fruit of the Holy Spirit there is no Holy Spirit. Where there are no works, faith is dead and there is no Salvation.
Peace be to you
Yes, of course, that MUST be it! You used the word "retain" and I interpreted that as "keep". Imagine my surprise when I looked up the word "retain" and saw the good ol' dictionary shares my impulse:
re·tain/rɪˈteɪn/ Show Spelled [ri-teyn] Show IPA
verb (used with object)
1. to keep possession of.
2. to continue to use, practice, etc.: to retain an old custom.
3. to continue to hold or have: to retain a prisoner in custody; a cloth that retains its color.
4. to keep in mind; remember.
5. to hold in place or position.
(http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/retain)
Who is doing the distorting here?
Technically; you are right. The word KEEP or any of it's permutations have escaped your fingers.
However; you DID state the following @#154:
Where they (works) are absent so too is Salvation.
Therefore, to KEEP your salvation; works are required.
I hear there's an opening on Dancing With the Stars.