And what is "saving faith" compared to "faith alone?" Is faith that does not produce works saving faith? For, as you know, there are many who claim faith in Jesus Christ who continue to live in the sins that Paul warns that will exclude us from the kingdom of God. Are they saved?
“And what is “saving faith” compared to “faith alone?”
Saving faith is entrusting oneself to Christ alone. His payment, His sacrifice. His fulfillment of the Law. His perfection.
And never your own payment, works, worthiness, nor effort.
“Is faith that does not produce works saving faith?
All saving faith results in a new birth, and the new life of Christ within. It is the expression of His life that produces fruit. It is the Spirit that testifies to the soul of every true believer, that he belongs to Him.
If a life is barren, it falls into question whether it has the life of Christ. God knows. We can only observe.
“For, as you know, there are many who claim faith in Jesus Christ who continue to live in the sins that Paul warns that will exclude us from the kingdom of God.”
Ah, here I take it that you mean Roman Catholics, but of course it equally applies to Orthodox and all others.
“Are they saved?”
The better question Petrosius, is “were they really saved?”
Paul recognizes a group of believers who are living carnal lives, yet are believers.
He also warns church members to examine ourselves to see if we have real faith.
He also states that some sins are difficult to break free of and may lead to death - though the person is saved.
He also says he gave one believer over to Satan as discipline. He later commands the church to welcome him back after the discipline led him to repentance. Again, no statement that the believer wasn’t saved.
We also know that not all who call on the name of Christ are His.
The wheat grows with the tares. God separates them at harvest-time.
If a soul was saved, it was completely saved.
NO: sola fide means that it is the faith itself which effects obedience towards it Object (the Lord Jesus) that appropriates justification, that it is not the holy effect of faith which is the cause of justification and acceptance in the Beloved and being with Him at death, whereas in Catholicism one is formally justified by His own holiness, and must become actually good enough to be with God. .
To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. (Acts 10:43)
And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. (Acts 15:7-9)
And which is interpretative of Acts 2:38, showing it was the faith behind baptism that appropriated the promise. But since works evidence faith, then the promise of salvation is given both upon the condition of believing, (Jn. 3:16) as well as if they will do what faith effects and requires. (Mk. 16:16) To the glory of God, who enables and motivates both.
Likewise,
Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. (Mark 2:9-11)
It was forgiveness that effected healing, and thus the Lord could say either "thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk," however., the effect was not the cause.