Works

I do not disregard any scripture you mentioned but i would not disregard the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ when it comes to salvation.

For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden. One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?” But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’” Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use? What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory— even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles? Romans 9:15-24

ive got a sore back. thats my excuse for not volunteering or doing charity work. Now if I had the love of God in me ( the Spirit) maybe I would push past the pain and stop making excuses.
I feel a duty to the poor. thats true. My father spent 30 years doing charity work. But he did it with joy I think he had the Spirit in him rather than thinking he was earning brownie points with God. Not sure I have the Spirit in me.

do we choose what we want to believe then?

the Bible is amply clear we do not

There is a very fine line between a sense of duty and love. I can start with a sense of duty and this can grow into love. I can say to God "
Look I dont enjoy these tasks much but I will do it because I owe it to you and I love you so much."
My father did a lot of charity work. Knowing his character, he felt an obligation to help the poor. He didnt want any credit for it. From people or God. His whole life was like a prayer to God though.

you do not choose what you believe in? it was all Gods grace then?

you are too busy retorting to give a reasonable answer

if you can find where I said anything close to your flippant response, I'll send you a box of doughnuts

i dont think i was being floppant

As normal, as soon as someone brings up works the accusations begin to fly thick and fast . . .

I am not afraid of works - in fact - I love doing good works for the kingdom of God - they are such an integral part of my walk and faith and I see no need to put them into a separate bin - I am saved by grace through faith and God in the process is doing a mighty work in my life!

Amen! Hallelujah!

Me too? Do I get doughnuts if I find a "flippant answer"?

Do not do good works for the kingdom of God, do them because of obedience and that's what you were created to do. This is what we call faith.

Luke 17:10 - So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.