Sheep have ever been considered an emblem of mildness simplicity, innocence, patience and usefullness. The poeples chosen as sheep nations will be those were beneficent and capable of unconscious and unaffected goodness. Innately kind and outwardly practical because of inward faith, these peoples are rewarded by the King.
Goats are naturally quarrelsome, lascivious, excessively ill-scented and are considered a symbol of riotous, profane and impure men. Innately and unconsciously selfish, they will represent those nations given up to their own passions and lusts, and who, consequently, fail to see the needs of others. (All The Parables of the Bible, Hebert Lockyer,p.249)
And instead of going to the clear teaching of the Bible on justification by faith alone (Rom.4:5, Eph.2:9, Tit.3:5) you will run to the parables!
The very thing that the Lord gave to keep the truth hidden from those who had no heart to learn it. (Matt.13:13-15)
Well, I had enjoyed your post on the sheep and the goats until this...
Apparently, Christians had to wait for St. Paul to give the "real" Gospel...
Even from Paul alone, I can show that Paul does not teach "faith alone". Throw in Peter, John, James, and Jesus, the argument is over before it begins...
You want a clue? Look to Romans 4:4, one verse removed from one you cited. That will explain what "works" mean to Paul. It is something done for pay. Nothing we do earns anything. Salvation is not earned. But Paul STILL commands we obey Christ. You misunderstand "doing something out of love" with "doing something for pay".
Regards Regards