Mark, I don't understand what you are saying here, I don't want to misinterpret (smile). Would you please give me an example?
Here are some examples:
Rom.9
[15] For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
[16] So it depends not upon man’s will or exertion, but upon God’s mercy.
[18] So then he has mercy upon whomever he wills, and he -
Matt.5
[7] Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Matt.6
[14] For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you;
[15] but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Rom.3
[24] they are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus,
[28] For we hold that a man is justified by faith apart from works of law.
Rom.5
[9] Since, therefore, we are now justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.
Matt.12
[37] for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.
Rom.5
[21] so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
John.5
[24] Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me, has eternal life; he does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
I’m kinda in the middle of things, but here are some Gospel verses:
The commandments (Love the Lord with all your heart, mind, strength and spirit; Love your neighbour as yourself): Matthew 19:19, Matthew 22:37-39, Mark 12:30-33 and Luke 10:27.
Follow him: Matthew 16:24, Matthew 19:21, Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23, Luke 18:22 and John 12:26.
Sell your possessions, give the money to the poor and follow him: Luke 14:33, Mark 10:21, Luke 18:22, Matthew 19:21 and Luke 12:33. Give to the poor: Luke 11:41 and Luke 14:13.
Faith: Did the disciples lack anything when Jesus sent them out? – Luke 22:35. Don’t worry about where your food or clothing is coming from: Matthew 6:25-31 and Luke 12:22-23.
Also, I found this little discourse about the apparent conflict between James and Paul:
The common but incorrect interpretation, leading to an apparent contradiction between Paul and James:
Paul supposedly said: Justification not by our good works, but by our faith in Jesus alone (see Gal 2:15—3:14 & Rom 3:21—4:25)
James supposedly said: Justification by our good works, not by our faith in God alone (see James 2:14-26)
Errors with these interpretations:
Paul is not talking about “good works”; he says “works of the Law” = Jewish/Mosaic laws on circumcision, sacrifices, dietary restrictions, etc.
For James, “works” are acts of charity = care for widows, orphans & the poor, love for neighbors, etc. (1:27; 2:8; 2:15-16)
Paul is not opposed to “good works”; he sees them as a necessary consequence (but not the foundation) of Christian life (Rom 12-15).
Similarly, James is not opposed to faith; he presupposes it, but stresses that authentic faith must be put into action, not merely words.
Paul is not talking primarily about our “faith in Jesus”; he means the “faith of Jesus” in God; our faith is a secondary response.
In contrast, James does mean people’s faith, primarily believing in God (2:23) but also believing in Jesus (2:1).
Paul does not presuppose the same definition of “faith” as James; for Paul, “faith” means “trusting” God, “entrusting oneself” to God’s plans.
For James, “faith” is more of an intellectual assent to theological truths, e.g. “believing that God is one” (2:19).
Paul did not write the word “alone” in Rom 3:28; Martin Luther was the one who added the word “allein” in his German Bible translation.
James does not write “by works alone” but stresses “not by faith alone”; he maintains that both have to go together.
Summary:
. Paul / James
Definitions of Key Terms: “faith” = trusting acceptance of God’s will
“works of the law” = regulations of the Jewish Torah
“faith” = intellectual assent to theological truths (2:19)
“works” = good deeds; putting religion into action (1:22-27)
Foundation of Justification,
Reason for Salvation: Jesus’ actions: the “faith of Jesus” in God
(i.e. Jesus’ trust, that led to his death on the cross)
not our actions: not fulfilling the “works of the Law”
adoption: God gave us birth by the word of truth (1:18)
and election: God chose the poor to be heirs of the kingdom (2:5)
Consequences for People,
Results of Being Saved: 1) We need to have faith/trust in Jesus (Rom 1-11)
and
2) We need to live ethically (Rom 12-15) 1) Our faith in Jesus, and 2) our works of charity;
both are necessary together (2:14-26)
Sorry it got a little scrambled. Hope it helps.