Here is what I consider is part of 'works' :-@PeterAndroz,
I don't think perseverance should be reduced to either "works" or "continuing belief" as though those are the only options.
My question isn't where Paul teaches that salvation is maintained by meritorious works. I agree that justification is by grace through faith apart from works of the law.
What I'm asking is why Paul repeatedly gives conditional warnings to believers.
For example, Colossians 1:23 says, "if ye continue in the faith." 1 Corinthians 15:2 says, "by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you." Romans 11:22 warns, "otherwise thou also shalt be cut off."
Those warnings are not about earning salvation through works, but neither do they sound irrelevant.
If your position is that continuing to believe the gospel is necessary, then we may agree that Paul's warnings about continuing in faith are meaningful. If your position is that even abandoning belief has no effect on one's standing before God, then how do you understand Paul's warnings and conditions?
Study the Bible.
Spread the Gospel
Based on your abilities, help others.
Keep commandments
............
-- My position/understanding is that it makes sense (I may be wrong) that since belief is the requirement to be saved/sealed that perseverance in belief must be ongoing yet some believe that 2 Tim 2:13 teaches otherwise.
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If you believe Paul teaches perseverance to remain Eph 4:30 SEALED also includes 'works' as above then Paul is contradicting himself in these verses :-
Titus 3:
5Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Gal 2:
16Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Rom 3:
28Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Eph 2:
8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Rom 4:
5But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Rom 5:
1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
