Right, that is perfect examples of Protestant obfuscation, when the simple fact remains that the Bible says one thing and your central doctrine says its opposite. The very length of your “explanations” shows dishonesty.
"Protestants obfuscation"?! I doubt you know what the term even means. Are you now saying you are only into "sound bite" and twitter feed theology or that if an idea cannot be condensed into 140 characters or less, you won't consider it? The sheer irony of your comment is unmistakable when we consider the endless libraries of Catholic church canons, bulls, catechisms and "apostolic" letters and constitutions created over the years to explain Roman Catholicism's differences with what Scripture plainly says and their reasons why they contend it doesn't mean what it says. If "length" of explanation is a key to its dishonesty, then you have much to condemn in your own religion.
As any student of the Bible knows, Scripture interprets Scripture. You cannot remove a passage from its context, audience and purpose, divorce it from other verses that expound on terms and further explain points and then expect a clear basis for a doctrine from a single or a few verses. Especially not the doctrine of justification - the basis of our Christian faith.
Go ahead, annalex, believe that your works save you. Believe you must merit eternal life and God OWES it to you after you've jumped through all the hoops your religion mandates. I'll continue to pray that the Lord opens your eyes and heart to the truth of His glorious grace and you discover what living an abundant life of faith is all about.