Obviously I agree that good works are something that Christians should strive to have. But works are not saving, and anyone looking to their works to save them will perish, as Jesus clearly states in the Bible:
"Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many *wonderful works*?"
"And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
Jesus is talking here about people that look to their good deeds as evidence of their salvation. When they meet Jesus they tell him all the great things they have done, but completely forget about the key to salvation which is faith alone.
Christian sects are not in agreement of this because some Christian sects do not offer a saving gospel. Catholicism does not offer a saving gospel, for example.
We'd all do good to focus on the Bible as the final authority, and not the teaching and writing of men.
The quote I quoted above from Jesus Christ himself is basically the same between versions. I'm not falling into a debate about Bible versions when Jesus is very clear about the main issue I'm talking about.
What is then the position of James 2:14-26? Is that not also correct? Or was that improperly included in canon and now we're picking and choosing to only acknowledge the gospels and select passages from the old testament as acceptable?
> For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
"Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many *wonderful works*?"
"And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
Jesus is talking here about people that look to their good deeds as evidence of their salvation. When they meet Jesus they tell him all the great things they have done, but completely forget about the key to salvation which is faith alone.
Christian sects are not in agreement of this because some Christian sects do not offer a saving gospel. Catholicism does not offer a saving gospel, for example.
We'd all do good to focus on the Bible as the final authority, and not the teaching and writing of men.