I knew the Lord told me to come back to this forum for a very god/good reason. Bless you for feeling inspired to write this thread.
To further support the truism displayed in the subject line of this thread, not by works- false, is to read the Book of James. You can start with chapter 2.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James 2%3A14-26&version=ESV;MOUNCE
"Faith
without works is dead!"
Read the whole of James.
God will tell the sincere seeker, His indwelt child, to avoid anyone who presumes to insist works have
no part (no participation) in Salvation, are not of God.
Nor do those teachers respect His true word. Else, they would never seek to contradict it.
We witness those who don't believe works have a thing to do with faith when we witness the lifestyle of super rich televangelists. If they commit to any church charity it is the barest minimum.And this, after they've been on air for years! Like one pastor who asks for funds to feed hungry children in Africa. First he asked for money to afford bowls. Then he thought to show where donations were going. Sure enough, there were the red bowls millions of dollars donated had purchased. They were being dipped into watery gruel!
If we are indwelt by God, how could we ever accept any teaching that hopes to lead us to believe it, which tells us, we don't have to commit to the work of the Kingdom while we're here on earth? Love one another....but do nothing to show it? Love your enemies....but do nothing to prove it? Need a church during this "pandemic", the whole earth is church. All is of God. You are a temple carrying the Holy within. The church on earth are the whole of the faithful, faith-filled.
How can anything we do as servants of God not be in service to God. Works are a sign we are saved. Read what James, an Apostle of Emmanuel, said through inspiration of Christ, about those who do no work, and call themselves, "in Christ.".
Be blessed. And be not , not ever, led astray by false teachers.
No matter where you may find them. In the pulpit, on TV, or elsewhere in this world. .
The Book of Matthew chapter 7
Be not led astray by those who tell you God's Commands have nothing , no thing, to do with Salvation. Another false teaching. Again, watch how those who defend falsity do so. it will not be with the kindness the Gospel was given. That is because false teaching is the antithesis of the Good News from God. And therefore, cannot share the same passion and emotion, goodness, as did the Truth from God through Christ.
In our Salvation we are given a rebirth, we are no longer whom we once were. We are then able to understand Gods order of creation, and His will for us. God did not waste His breath when He gave the commandments, nor did Jesus lie when he reiterated them. Even that of Sabbath day. Though we are not to be put to death for working on Sabbath, sundown Friday unto sundown Saturday, that day of rest was created by God for us. And Emmanuel /Jesus NEVER rescinded it. He is Lord of the Sabbath, because He is our Lord that gave the Sabbath. We have our rest in Him every day, we know this. However, one day for ourselves, created for us, is our day of/with the Lord. To find respite in him, without the worldly concerns gaining our attention.
John 14:15 If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.