Can you dismiss as unimportant Matthew 7:21-29 and Matthew 25:31-46? Because in these passages our Lord is clearly talking about DOING something.
How can it be said that acceptance based on faith IS NOT a work? Are we to believe that faith comes without any prior thought and remains regardless of future events?
It sounds good to say that salvation is based solely on faith and not works, but how does that actually come to be unless a person is completely pre-programmed in a certain way? And, if this is the case, why should we waste even a second concerning ourselves with it?
The problem with any bit of works involved in salvation is that we all know that Christians sin and sin continually. Otherwise, we’d be just fine and dandy with holding ourselves up as shining examples.
Sin in Christians is why we’d better have grace and mercy. Otherwise, we’re all doomed.