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So, it seems like works are an integral part of God's plan as you'd call it, and not just "important," but rather essential!.

Yes, they just aren't used/performed to earn salvation.

Again, I will ask you what would it take for you to believe that a NY subway homeless person is Jesus Christ if he said he was and then told you to leave your wife, kids and job and follow him?

I suppose I would expect him to reveal himself to me in the same way that the Father revealed Christ's identity to Peter. PLUS, he would have to explain to me why his appearance can defy the scriptures! :)

Luke 21:25-28 : 25 "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26 Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

Doesn't sound much like a wino in the subway. :)

FK: "Do you say that you cannot "detect" God simply from your human experience?"

I can honestly answer that if God had not been mentioned from my earliest days, I would have never assumed there was God.

Sure, no one can believe in God without God having touched him first. I guess what I really meant was that since now you are a Christian, does your human experience actively confirm His existence? I would answer absolutely "yes".

FK: "Demons detect God too, but they do not have faith. The eyes and ears are what confirm for believers that the words of scripture are true."

But those who use different scriptures will tell you the same thing. What proof do you have that yours are true? The spiritual "eyes" and "ears?" Don't be ridiculous. Eyes and ears prove nothing.

As you know, my position is that the Bible self-authenticates for believers. If others who follow false faiths say the same type of thing, what is that to us? With the proper God-given presuppositions, Christianity is a fully reasoned faith.

Just because we all say we have faith doesn't prove it. Words prove nothing. They are just words.

While we can't be certain of another's salvation, if words and actions are not "reasonable proof" to you, then what is? Should I assume that none of your clergy have any faith at all because they can't prove it? :)