Are Protestants "saved? "

[Yehren]

Yep and what is the will of God?

Jesus makes it explicit, here:
Matthew 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:


36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.


37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?


38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?


39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?


40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.


41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:


42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:


43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.


44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?


45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.


46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Yet romans 4 says no works.

No, it does not. It merely points out that we are justified by faith. In James 2, God said we are justified by works as well as by faith.

James 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

God does not contradict himself. Therefore, we must, if we trust God, admit that one is justified by faith and works alike.

James is talking to hearers not doers.

In James, God is talking to you and me. He does not contradict Paul. It is His word and He says that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

I think I will go with reality

See above. If God is truthful, then we are justified by faith and works alike.

no work you do will cause god to forgive one sin

Of course. Both faith and works justify us, but only because they reflect something more important:

1 Corinthians 13:1 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,b]">[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Only if you follow the two great commandments, will you be saved. Love God, love your fellow man. That's what matters. You cannot be saved without following these two, from which all other laws and the prophets depend. If you don't think so, you will get a rude awakening one day.

The law will not save you. Theology will not save you. A loving heart for God and your neighbor will save you.

 

[Eternally Grateful]

Jesus makes it explicit, here:
Matthew 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:


36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.


37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?


38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?


39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?


40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.


41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:


42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:


43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.


44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?


45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.


46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.




No, it does not. It merely points out that we are justified by faith. In James 2, God said we are justified by works as well as by faith.

James 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

God does not contradict himself. Therefore, we must, if we trust God, admit that one is justified by faith and works alike.



In James, God is talking to you and me. He does not contradict Paul. It is His word and He says that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.



See above. If God is truthful, then we are justified by faith and works alike.



Of course. Both faith and works justify us, but only because they reflect something more important:

1 Corinthians 13:1 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,b]">[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Only if you follow the two great commandments, will you be saved. Love God, love your fellow man. That's what matters. You cannot be saved without following these two, from which all other laws and the prophets depend. If you don't think so, you will get a rude awakening one day.

The law will not save you. Theology will not save you. A loving heart for God and your neighbor will save you.

Yes he did make it clear

John 6:35–40 (NKJV): And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. 40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

Jesus did not contradict himself

 

[Yehren]

Jesus did not contradict himself

Of course He did not. His promise to save those who show charity for others, and to reject those who do not, is perfectly consistent with His words elsewhere:
Matthew 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

And God's word in James 2:
James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

If you believe God, one is justified by works and faith also.

 

[Eternally Grateful]

Of course He did not. His promise to save those who show charity for others, and to reject those who do not, is perfectly consistent with His words elsewhere:
Matthew 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

And God's word in James 2:
James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

If you believe God, one is justified by works and faith also.

If we are justified by works we are not justified by grace

paul said if it is grace it is no longer works otherwise grace is no longer grace

you attempting to use a passage where James is calling out licentious belief only people while Ignoring Paul who is calling out those who think we are justified by faith plus works is not helping you any

jesus said on that day people will praise all their works and he will say depart he never knew them

people who do what you are saying do it BECAUSE they are saved not to get saved

 

[Yehren]

If we are justified by works we are not justified by grace

It is God's grace that leads us to faith and to works. That's what Paul says.

Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

We are saved because of God's grace that leads us to the works and faith which God tells us will justify us. Or faith and works are not of us, but are through God's grace, given freely to us.

you attempting to use a passage where James is calling out licentious belief

That's your addition to scripture. It seems rather unlikely that Abraham was of "licentious belief." James says nothing about what kind of belief you might have. He merely shows that we are justified by faith and by works, and pointing out that faith by itself is dead; even demons believe, but without the grace of God they have no works, and their faith is dead.

jesus said on that day people will praise all their works and he will say depart he never knew them

Paul explains why...
1 Corinthians 13:1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body,a but have not love, I gain nothing.

All your faith,and all your works will mean nothing if you don't have love for God and for your neighbor.

 

[Eternally Grateful]

It is God's grace that leads us to faith and to works. That's what Paul says.

Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

We are saved because of God's grace that leads us to the works and faith which God tells us will justify us. Or faith and works are not of us, but are through God's grace, given freely to us.



That's your addition to scripture. James says nothing about that. He merely shows that we are justified by faith and by works, and pointing out that faith by itself is dead; even demons believe, but without the grace of God they have no works, and their faith is dead.



Paul explains why...
1 Corinthians 13:1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body,a but have not love, I gain nothing.

All your faith,and all your works will mean nothing if you don't have love for God and for your neighbor.

Gods grace saves those who have faith

those who have faith trust god hence they do what he says (not perfectly) thus producing works

we are not saved by works of any kind to say so is to preach a different gospel as Paul Clearly states in gal 3

 

[Yehren]

Gods grace saves those who have faith

God says He saves those who have works. In fact, in Matthew 25, he says those with works will go with him and those who do not, go with the devil.

 

[Yehren]

we are not saved by works of any kind

Well, let's see what God says...

James 2:17Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

To say otherwise is to preach a different gospel than we find in God's word.

 

[Reggie Belafonte]

Well, let's see what God says...

James 2:17Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

To say otherwise is to preach a different gospel than we find in God's word.

All Satanist try to make out that the works are 'your' works that RCC is talking about, but as i believe you know it's because one has the Holy Spirit That one is abiding in God that's working in you. but they are rejecting that and happy to boast such, slandering that it's your human worldly works that you are claiming.

I know many a RC that is only doing worldly works just as the Prots say and that's because they are not born again, not to mention plenty of RC Priest are Satanist, just as many Prot Priest are Satanist as well.

The Communist have infiltrated all Churches and that work started to take off in earnest after WW2 and they got hold of the RCC. Pope Paul talked about such in his day and Pope John Paul II had no power over them and Pope Ben talks about such even before he was the Pope.

Many a good man who wanted to become a RC Priest was rejected by the powers that be, nothing to do with the Pope so much at all but them with power over such were turning good men away from the Priesthood, they did not want strong Priest they wanted man boys weaklings gays and only yes men and poofters or Satanic thugs.
I remember when their were real men in the Priesthood but they are all gone now and it's became a creep show of Socialism and Political Correctness that is the main line peddled in the Church and Christian Schools nowadays by all and if Jesus is mentioned he is only seen in the light of some Gay man .
They look up to the power of Gay men nowadays even idolise such in fact, Oh don't offend Gay men or look out ! you are dealing with people who are backing such people up 100% especially if they are under 35yo as that's the number one thing in their life's to support and to stand up for totally without question and if I question such then comes the threats to bash you up and total Malice is there game plan but if I mention Christians then one comes under fire of total hatred not to mention laugh at. but if you mention Jesus the Gay or Jesus the Socialist that's all ok. but not Jesus the Christ or then you see the punk spack attack ranting and then we see the so called Jew is idolised as well by all people and even people that claim to be Christians nowadays they are idolising the so called persons ? when most know noting of the OT and nor do they care at all about that, because they are just such a shallow mob of people who are only totally brainwashed. they are very much like the Nazis thugs were only they don't know it. because they are brainwashed simple minded shallow people.
I never bothered with Gay men as I just seen such people as boys or poor deranged mental retards and such but now this Mob are lording it all over Christianity and the whole world, Such Sodomites have morphed into a major power that no one dare expose such depravity of such, now I say some Gays are not a problem and never were but some are a real problem and they should be exposed for what it is that they truly are and do not to mention get away with.

 

[Reggie Belafonte]

Jesus Christ is the Light of the World and he as such exposes all the darkness, it is they who fear the Light that hide in their depravity, because such is the nature of Man in it's Sinful curse and only the truly born again in the Holy Spirit know the truth and will expose the darkness out for what it truly is , just like all the Prophets did !

 

[Reggie Belafonte]

I see most Protestants are doing worldly works as well, only they don't know it.

The proof is in the pudding !

And the world will reap what it sows and we are seeing the fruit of such is rotten nowadays.

Just look at all the Churches nowadays they have failed, just look at the numbers or percentage of people who go to church for one let along claim to be a Christian.

 

[Yehren]

All Satanist try to make out that the works are 'your' works that RCC is talking about, but as i believe you know it's because one has the Holy Spirit That one is abiding in God that's working in you.

Yes, as Paul says, if you lack charity, all your works and faith are for nothing. But I don't think that everyone or even a majority of those who deny this, are Satanists.

I am pretty sure they are just in error, and are good Christian people.

 

[Eternally Grateful]

God says He saves those who have works. In fact, in Matthew 25, he says those with works will go with him and those who do not, go with the devil.

No god says he saves those who have faith whoever has faith will have works

you can’t earn your salvation by works

 

[mailmandan]

No god says he saves those who have faith whoever has faith will have works

you can’t earn your salvation by works

Amen! When descriptive passages of scripture get confused with prescriptive passages of scripture, the end result is salvation by works. Good works are the fruit, by product and demonstrative evidence of authentic faith in Christ, but not the essence of faith and not the means or basis by which we obtain salvation. All genuine believers are fruitful, but not all are equally fruitful. (Matthew 13:23)

 

[mailmandan]

Well, let's see what God says...

James 2:17Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

To say otherwise is to preach a different gospel than we find in God's word.

In James 2:14, we read of one who says/claims he has faith but has no works (to validate his claim). That is not genuine faith, but a bare profession of faith. So when James asks, "Can that faith save him?" he is saying nothing against genuine faith, but only against an empty profession of faith/dead faith. *So James does not teach that we are saved "by" works. His concern is to show the reality of the faith professed by the individual (James 2:18) and demonstrate that the faith claimed (James 2:14) by the individual is genuine. Simple!

In James 2:19, we see that the demons believe "mental assent" that "there is one God," but they do not believe/entrust their spiritual well being to Christ; have faith/reliance upon Christ for salvation. In other words, they do not believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31) and are not saved. Their trust and reliance is in Satan, as demonstrated by their rebellion in heaven and continuous evil works.

In James 2:20, "faith without works is dead" does not mean that faith is dead until it produces works and then it becomes a living faith (which is like saying that a tree is dead until it produces fruit and then it becomes a living tree). James is simply saying faith that is not accompanied by evidential works is dead. Again, if someone merely says-claims they have faith but lack resulting evidential works, then they have an empty profession of faith/dead faith and not authentic faith.

In James 2:21, notice closely that James does not say that Abraham's work of offering up Isaac resulted in God accounting Abraham as righteous. The accounting of Abraham's faith as righteousness was made in Genesis 15:6, many years before his work of offering up Isaac recorded in Genesis 22. The work of Abraham did not have some kind of intrinsic merit to account him as righteous, but it showed or manifested the genuineness of his faith. This is the "sense" in which Abraham was "justified by works." He was shown to be righteous.

In James 2:22, faith made perfect or complete by works means bring to maturity, carry to the end, to complete like love in 1 John 4:18. It doesn't mean that Abraham was finally saved based on merits of his works after he offered up Isaac on the altar in Genesis 22. When Abraham performed the good work in Genesis 22; he fulfilled the expectations created by the pronouncement of his faith in Genesis 15:6.

In James 2:23, the scripture was fulfilled in vindicating or demonstrating that Abraham believed God and was accounted as righteous. Abraham was accounted as righteous based on his faith (Genesis 15:6) not his works (Romans 4:2-3) long before he offered up Isaac on the altar in Genesis 22.

James is not using the word "justified" in James 2:24 to mean "accounted as righteous" but is shown to be righteous. James is discussing the evidence of faith (says-claims to have faith but has no works/I will show you my faith by my works - James 2:14-18) and not the initial act of being accounted as righteous with God (Romans 4:2-3). Works bear out the justification that already came by faith.

In the Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, the Greek word for justified "dikaioo" #1344 is:

1. to render righteous or such he ought to be
2. to show, exhibit, evince, one to be righteous, such as he is and wishes himself to be considered
3. to declare, pronounce, one to be just, righteous, or such as he ought to be

In Matthew 12:37, we read - "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." This is because our words (and our works) reveal the condition of our hearts. Words/works are evidences for, or against being in a state of righteousness.

God is said to have been justified by those who were baptized by John the Baptist (Luke 7:29). This act pronounced or declared God to be righteous. It did not make him righteous. The basis or ground for the pronouncement was the fact that God IS righteous. Notice that the NIV reads, "acknowledged that God's way was right.." The ESV reads, "they declared God just.." This is the "sense" in which God was "justified." He was shown to be righteous.

Matthew 11:19 "The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax-gatherers and sinners!' Yet wisdom is justified/vindicated/shown to be right by her deeds."

Salvation by faith and works is a different gospel. (Romans 4:2-6; Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5; 2 Timothy 1:9 etc..).

 

[Eternally Grateful]

Well, let's see what God says...

James 2:17Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

To say otherwise is to preach a different gospel than we find in God's word.

Your stuck on a passage

romans 4:
What then shall we say that has found according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.
5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies his faith is accounted for righteousness, 6 just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:

7 “BlessedJ are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.”


And pauls own message,

for by grace we HAVE BEEN saved through faith, and NOT OF OURSELVES it is the GIFT OF GOD , NOT OF WORKS lest anyone should BOAST!

you my friend have to resolve these two passages,

I have,

you keep pointing to one passage which seems to contradict these words of paul (they don’t) it’s up to you to explain why

 

[mailmandan]

God says He saves those who have works. In fact, in Matthew 25, he says those with works will go with him and those who do not, go with the devil.

Those who have works are believers, hence sheep. The good works mentioned in Matthew 25:35-36 is the fruit that is manifest in the lives of believers. Those who are placed at Christ's right hand are not there based on the merits of their good works, but because of God's imputed righteousness. The righteousness which is of God by faith. (Romans 4:5-6; Philippians 3:9) When works are mentioned in connection with salvation, the works are always the result of, not the basis or means of, obtaining salvation. The stress is on works as a manifestation of one's faith (or lack thereof). The lack of works is a manifestation of an unbelieving heart, hence goats.

 

[Eternally Grateful]

I see most Protestants are doing worldly works as well, only they don't know it.

The proof is in the pudding !

And the world will reap what it sows and we are seeing the fruit of such is rotten nowadays.

Just look at all the Churches nowadays they have failed, just look at the numbers or percentage of people who go to church for one let along claim to be a Christian.

Yep

let’s also remember all throughout the OT, the true believers were few in numbers, the false religious tradition of Jews where huge, and history, tradition, priestly succession and had a tradition of ceremonies and works which made them holy

yep sounds like the largest church since the 3rd century alright

numbers are not always indicative,

 

[Yehren]

No god says he saves those who have faith

(Barbarian checks)

Matthew 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left. [34] Then shall the king say to them that shall be on his right hand: Come, ye blessed of my Father, possess you the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. [35] For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in:

[36] Naked, and you covered me: sick, and you visited me: I was in prison, and you came to me. [37] Then shall the just answer him, saying: Lord, when did we see thee hungry, and fed thee; thirsty, and gave thee drink? [38] And when did we see thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and covered thee? [39] Or when did we see thee sick or in prison, and came to thee? [40] And the king answering, shall say to them: Amen I say to you, as long as you did it to one of these my least brethren, you did it to me.


[41] Then he shall say to them also that shall be on his left hand: Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels. [42] For I was hungry, and you gave me not to eat: I was thirsty, and you gave me not to drink. [43] I was a stranger, and you took me not in: naked, and you covered me not: sick and in prison, and you did not visit me. [44] Then they also shall answer him, saying: Lord, when did we see thee hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister to thee? [45] Then he shall answer them, saying: Amen I say to you, as long as you did it not to one of these least, neither did you do it to me.


[46] And these shall go into everlasting punishment: but the just, into life everlasting.

Nope. He says your works determine that.

whoever has faith will have works

Probably why He says that one is justified by works and by faith. But as you see, none of that matters if you don't love Him and love your fellow man. That will save you. Theology will not save you, but a loving heart will.


you can’t earn your salvation by works.

 

[Yehren]

Your stuck on a passage

If I have to be stuck on something, God's word seems like the right thing to me. Set your own desires aside and stick with His word.

Cafeteria Christians accept part of it, but not all of it. They pick and chose what parts of His word they will accept. If He tells you faith saves in one place and works save in another place, just accept it. And when he tells you that neither of these will save you, if you don't love God and your fellow man, believe that, too.

And it won't bother you any further.