It is also written that
to him that worketh not but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith will be counted as righteousness. Romans 4:5. So the Lord does justify the ungodly, or the unrighteous. It is just that He doesn't leave them in that state. They believe and are saved by faith and grace; and in this they are made into new creatures in Christ; which indicates a change of lifestyle, from iniquity unto holiness.
Matthew 25:15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
Yes, faith is a gift of the spirit just as much as teaching is, if someone stays strong in their faith it does count as righteousness. But that is still a work in the sense you are proving yourself to God, by you staying faithful you are making a free will choice to not reject God and continue in your belief no matter what. As Jesus said, there are Christians with "five...two...one talents...according to his several ability". Some Christians are not spiritually strong, so keeping their faith is the "one talent" they have to their Christian walk and as long as they keep it they will be found in the book of life.
First you say it has no backing, and then you say it is backed up by a single verse. I would say that if it is backed up by even a single verse of scripture, that we need to heed that verse. However, it is not backed up by a single verse only; it is backed up by four passages that I can think of (and there may be more):
Ephesians 2:8-9,
Titus 3:4-7,
Romans 11:5-6, and
Romans 4:1-8.
You did not read my post, just read what you wanted to hear, which is common with rapture and grace alone Christians...cherry picking. If you read the entirety of what I wrote, I said there was one scripture BUT it was taken out of context, so in reality there is no backing. You still ignore the fact Jesus said he will judge everyone by their works when he returns, just to start finding some loop hole, still waiting for you to explain why Jesus said he will judge everyone by their works....interesting in your two post reply, you failed to comment on that...some may say that was a willful and purposely done act.
Titus 3:3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
Titus 3:4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
Purposely missed the verses before verse four, which state that men were acting vile (the Jews), but not out of works but out of the loving kindness of God did he send Jesus to the world. Titus was talking to the Jews here, saying none were worthy to have Jesus come down to save us, but because of God's grace and love he sent Jesus anyway.
Titus 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
..of course you purposely missed the next verse, which says that we are still required to continue doing good works. Interesting that you cherry picked to keep the two verses that give the context of those listed, and that both prove your doctrine wrong...hmmm.
Romans 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
Again taken out of context, if you continue reading down at verse 22 of Romans 11, you will see that we are to continue in his goodness or we will be "cut off". So can not be only of grace, if our actions can cause us to be cut off from God. You are missing the point, as I said in my first post, we are saved by Grace in that we as humans can not earn salvation ourselves alone but need God's help. But there is a difference between God helping those that are proving themselves, and God helping people spending their life drunk in a brothel.
The true grace of God is demonstrated in that a person will be made perfect after that they have suffered for a while (1 Peter 5:10-12 (kjv)). Grace is transforming.
Jesus said, Ye must be born again; and this is never accomplished by any works on my part. If I give $5 or even $5,000,000 to the poor, this is not going to effect in me the new birth. I can only be saved by grace through faith: scripture is clear that my works are not going to save me (see references above).
You answered this yourself, it seems your flesh imaginations are fighting the Holy Spirit and coming out with a mixture here that you can not even understand. "true grace of God is demonstrated in that a person will be made perfect after that they have suffered", if you only need to be born again then why do you need to suffer? If by Grace alone after you are reborn, why are you not perfect 10 seconds after you are given the gift of faith?
1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
Being born again is the first step on your journey (read the parable of the sower), but after you must "suffer" to become "perfect" like you said. That is the "trial of your faith", you are being tempted and tested your entire life to see if you are righteous and will stay faithful to God. So that you "MIGHT be found unto praise....at the appearing of Jesus Christ". There is no 100% when you are reborn that you are going to Heaven, so grace alone is not true, we need grace but if you fail the trail of your faith you will not be found worthy. As Peter says, "might be found", nothing saying "will be found".
There is a pre-tribulation rapture for those who are found worthy (overcomers in Philadelphia)...see
Revelation 3:10.
Again, just reading one verse and making an entire doctrine.
If you read Revelation 3:10 in the original language of Greek, you will see you are missing a key hint, as "keep" is tēreō which means "to guard". Keeping someone from a fight, has a total different meaning then guarding someone in a fight.
Revelation 9:3 And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
Revelation 9:4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.
The demons that will be released on Earth were commanded not to destroy the Earth or the men with the "seal of God", "but only those men which have not the seal of God". If you questioned the rapture before you just went with it, you would have read Revelations and known that there are people on Earth God will be "guarding", which is the exact promise he gave to Philadelphia.
Matthew 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand
Matthew 24:16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
Those Christians that obey the Word of God will not chose a fight with satan, but will obey Jesus' command to flee when satan shows up and to hide. If you do hide and not make a target out of yourself, you will be sealed by God and the demons are commanded not to target you. The reason is in Revelation 3:10 "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience", these Christians will have obeyed Jesus and prepared for the tribulation. While there will be Christians that believe in the rapture who will not be guarded by the seal of God since they did not obey the Word of God, " 2 Thessalonians 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:"
Difference is some pull random one verse scripture and call it a doctrine, while obedient Christians "study and show themselves approved".