>> Eternal life is not automatic based on a statement that for some amounts to little more than lip service.<<
The key to that sentence is “little more than lip service”. Just lip service leads to hell. True faith produces works, not from our own initiative but from the Spirit within us. The evidence of works is simply the evidence of the Spirit within us.
>> Those who tell Christians that they have nothing more to do that to say “I accept Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior” are misleading them to believe that they may live life as THEY wish without worry of losing salvation. Jesus many, many times tells us what we must do.<<
I disagree that they are “misleading” them. The “I accept Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior”, if said in truth leads to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit which in turn leads to works. Anyone who truly believes when they make that statement will move on in their faith if they maintain that belief.
>> they are again entangled therein<<
That’s a result of a loss of that childlike faith. Never give up that childlike faith in Jesus alone. Don’t start relying on works because our nature knows that works will never be good enough without the underlying faith. Faith is what saves, works is just the evidence of true faith.
There is nothing in your post which is contradictory to Catholic teaching on “faith and works”.
A man cannot “earn” heaven through works that are not the fruits of his faith in Jesus.
Faith that is not true cannot survive, just as the seed that does not fall on fertile ground.
That is why we need sanctifying grace, it strengthens us on our walk.