Man is saved through faith and not by works (Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5; 2 Timothy 1:9); yet genuine faith is substantiated, evidenced by works. (James 2:14-24) Christ saves us through faith based on the merits of His finished work of redemption "alone" and not based on the merits of our works. It is through faith "in Christ alone" (and not based on the merits of our works) that we are justified on account of Christ (Romans 3:24; 5:1; 5:9); yet the faith that justifies does not remain alone (unfruitful, barren) if it is genuine. (James 2:14-24)
*PERFECT HARMONY*
You do not understand these verses that you use as proof texts for salvation by faith alone and no obedience to Gods commandments.
Let's examine one, Titus 3:5 and see if Paul is teaching Titus that there are no works in salvation.
Titus 3:5,
-not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.
Now faith onlyist's use this as a proof text for no works in salvation.
Paul said Titus 3:5.
Now listen to Paul teach on works of righteousness in Acts 10:35,
-But in every nation whoever fears Him
and works righteousness is accepted by Him.
Paul cannot believe what Dan believes for Paul teaches no one is accepted by God who does not work righteousness.
So what is Paul really teaching in Titus 3:5?
To know you must read verse 4 and 5 together.
Titus 3:4-5
-But when the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared,
-not by works of righteousness which we have done,
but according to His mercy He saved us...
Paul is saying WHEN Jesus' love and mercy appeared.
Paul said Gods mercy DID NOT APPEAR WHEN WE DID A WORK OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.
But BEFORE we did works of righteousness.
So Paul is simply saying that Jesus chose to save us before we did good works i.e. when we had no faith in Jesus.
Here is the parallel verse that proves Jesus chose to save us before we believed or did good works,
1Timothy 1:9,
-who has saved us and called us with a Holy calling, not according to our works but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus
before time began.
That is the point Paul is making in Titus 3:5. Not what Dan is teaching i.e. works are not required by God to be saved.
But that Jesus chose to save us while we had no faith or works in Him.
God chose to save us Before time began!!!
Now we need to learn what works of righteousness is?
The fact that you must work, works of righteousness to be accepted by God according to Paul, Acts 10:35.
Then we must know what these kind of works are unless we want to believe a lie that no works are required by God to be accepted by Him.
The answer is found in Psalm 119:172,
-my tongue shall speak of Your word,
for all your commandments are righteousness.
So, when we obey God by doing His commandments we are doing works of righteousness.
Titus 3:5 cannot be teaching we do not have to keep Gods commandments i.e. works of righteousness.
Because this false interpretation makes Paul contradict himself in Acts 10:35, where he said you must do works of righteousness to be accepted by God.
Faith and obedience to Jesus' gospel commandments is what saves us.