The key word there is “required”. Protestants for the most part would use the word “expected”. Using the word “required” would demand the question “required for what”? Using the word “expected” would demand the question “expected because of what?
Very good. Required for salvation, according to the Gospels, and to Paul, by the way.
>>and that nothing matters except mere words attempting to excuse one.<<
Why would you presume to think that nothing “matters except mere words”? Making that presumption in an attempt to accuse of not taking seriously the exhortation to follow through with the fruits of salvation and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is rather spurious I would think.
I take the message of God and salvation very seriously, as do most of the Catholics that I know. It is Protestants who create their own theologies in defiance of the Church that I take lightly.
Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
No works there.
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life." (John 5:24)
Hmm, still no works.
Hebrews 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Still no works. Seems in that one the “priest” doesn’t help much either.
1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Rom. 3:28-30, "For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one."
Rom. 4:5, "But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness,"
Rom. 5:1, "therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,"
Wow! Still no works.
Romans 9:30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. 31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
Well, finally! We found those who rely on works. I wonder how that verse affects those who think they have replaced Israel. Hmmmm.