It's not even an issue of "faith alone versus faith and works", it's, literally, just the plain bare facts of what is written in Scripture. Literal logic. If it were any other issue, I'd have the same objection--"You are being incoherent."
In my understanding you all are hitting upon a very important--and, perhaps, THE MOST IMPORTANT--aspect of what is written (and that's why I wish you could harmonize your "takes" on this aspect with the other aspects of Scripture), but I cannot ignore one Biblical truth in order to acknowledge one other Biblical truth. I have to acknowledge ALL of them (to the best of my ability).
I may have been granted, due to others' prayers, and graces, not anything of my own, to understand :
The unforgiving steward was, indeed, forgiven, but, afterwards, due to his behavior, had that forgiveness rescinded. His faith was not completed by works. What was his faith? That he was accepted only by mercy, not works. But he did not walk in that, complete his faith with works. "How should I live, as a person who is justified and at peace only by mercy, and there's nothing I could ever do to deserve God, because He's too costly, too good, and nothing I could do could earn enough merit to afford Him, so that He must be accepted as a gift?" Peter says he forgot he was cleansed of his former sins, and, thus, did not result in fruitfulness in the knowledge of the Lord, but, rather, he did not represent the Lord, but refused to be merciful (the correct articulation of "the Lord" as he knew "the Lord" to be).
So, on one hand, justification is by Grace and mercy alone, and there's nothing we could ever do to be justified, and, then, on the other, we should walk as if that were true, declaring that truth with our walk, or else we aren't actively believing it (eg, if we say we must do something good to "finalize" the deal, that may break it), but the person who lives to declare that truth declares God, has God as his righteousness, so lives righteously, so is completing his faith with his works, and is justified by his faith completed by works.
So, you have both at the same time.
John 3:30He must increase; I must decrease.
John 7:18The one speaking from himself seeks his own glory, but the One seeking the glory of the One having sent Him, He is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.
John 15: 9As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Remain in My love. 10If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. ... 12This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."
So, he didn't decrease, didn't seek God's glory (didn't love as he had been loved), so he didn't abide in faith (but broke Jesus's command), and, so, wasn't fruitful in the knowledge of the Lord, and was cut off and thrown in the fire.
The two "commands" (1 Jn 3:22), believe in the Name of God's Son, and love one another, are a singular "command" (1 Jn 3:23), because you must declare the love God showed you when you walk, completing faith (that God loved you and accepted you by grace and mercy alone, not works), by declaring that faith in your dealings with others, not changing your mind in your dealings with others, but remaining in the Word, keeping His "command" to believe in His love (1 Jn 4:16) and to, as you are believing, then, not change your mind, but, in peace, not to become justified, but as a justified person, declare and share that same love... or else, are you really continuing to believe in His love and mercy? How could you be continuing to believe in His love and mercy, but not, with that same mind and heart, exude and express that?
In Matthew 18, we see that we are to forgive others without limits because God has forgiven us a massive, unpayable debt. Forgiveness is essential according to God because it mirrors His character, restores relationships, promotes unity, and transforms both the individual and others. It is our responsibility to forgive, which is central to Christianity and the believer’s spiritual journey.
