I was just about to post a comment to that effect. Jesus answer to the expert in the law and the rich younger ruler, both, is that we CANNOT love the Lord our God with all of our heart, all of our soul, with all our strength, and with all of our minds nor can we love our neighbors as ourselves. NO ONE can attain a perfect record of law keeping. Paul makes this very clear in Romans, and this is why, praise God, Jesus is our only hope.
I do agree that faith without works is dead, indeed, but salvation doesn’t come by works lest any man should boast.
Yup.
A little more on the rich young ruler, if I may;
The rich young ruler took great pride in the laws he was able to keep, in his own estimation anyway. Jesus, knowing the young ruler’s heart, went right to the core of his deep rooted sin, the love of money.
All too often those same words are turned on all of us, as if we all suffer from the love of money. Granted some of us do, but the deeper point here is God knows exactly what out sins are and we will be judged on the on that great and horrible day. Only those who look to Jesus will have those sins forgiven.
Good analysis. We can’t stand on our works alone b/c it’s like “filthy rags” before God. Our salvation requires faith and belief. We do the good works anyway b/c that’s what God would want us to do. They can never buy us a ticket in, but it’s part of our journey to be more like Him anyway. It’s an expression of love and obedience to Him.