[Ken Regis]

I quoted exactly what I meant to quote but thanks for your thoughts. I'm familiar with the Book of James and could have quoted many passages from there also. God's Word is very clear: we come to Him by faith. There is no way that anyone should be confused and think that there is something THEY CAN or NEED do to be saved. (Heb 11 comes to mind right now)

Here's one of the key verses that led me out of the trap I was in many years ago:

Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?
Gal 3:3b

"Flesh" is a reference to unregenerate, weak, human nature. Trying to achieve righteousness by works (such as circumcision - and a WHOLE HOST of such works that people on this thread believe will make the difference for them) or, life in the “flesh.”

[ravenwolf]

You read what Paul had to say, I have no doubt you have also read what Jesus had to say, if yo love me you will keep my commandments.

Boasting about faith is no different than boasting about works,

Let’s see some of it.

[af_vet_1981]

Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?
Gal 3:3b

"Flesh" is a reference to unregenerate, weak, human nature. Trying to achieve righteousness by works (such as circumcision - and a WHOLE HOST of such works that people on this thread believe will make the difference for them) or, life in the “flesh.”

"Flesh" in this instance is a reference to Gentiles being physically circumcised (the flesh of the foreskin being cut off) and keeping the law of Moses with their bodies. In other instances it is as you noted. The book of Galatians was written to correct the false teaching that the Gentiles needed to be circumcised and keep the law of Moses to be saved.

O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain. He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

...

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

Galatians, Catholic chapter three, Protestant verses one to five,
Galatians, Catholic chapter five, Protestant verses one to seven,
as authorized, but not authored, by King James