This "then" is a non-sequitur invented about 500 years ago by people who don't know how to read the Scripture.
Since when is Holy Scripture only 500 years old?
There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one." -- Romans 3:10-12"As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
"And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith" -- Philippians 3:9
"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." -- Philippians 2:13
If all righteousness belongs to God, then only God's perfect atonement can save the unrighteous man.
If some righteousness belongs to man, then man helps God in saving himself.
I prefer to rely completely on the finished work of Christ upon the cross for my salvation.
All of Him; none of me.
Saved by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ.
My post 7424 was misstated, -- I did not identify the non-sequitur in your 7397. I corrected it in 7429, but mistakenly failed to ping you to the correction, -- not that your post makes sense in the context of either two of of mine.
It is simple. The Catholic Church has always (that is 2,000 years) taught that our good works are possible because of the Divine Grace; and it has always taught that we are free to obey or disobey the Gospel. Then Luther erected his false dichotomy and denied the necessity of good works despite the clear teaching of the Gospel; it was false 500 years ago and it remains false today. Beware of the traditions of men, defrocked priests in particular.