the misunderstanding in the religious world.
As I said, we are saved by grace through faith. But we are saved to do Good Works prompted by love. Paul tells us that love is the greatest thing. James says that faith without works (prompted by love of course) is dead. So he and Paul obviously agree. James gave example of good works in providing for poor Christians, etc. This becomes clear when we look at the Judgment scene in Matthew 25:32ff. He addresses those who viewed Him as Lord but one group had not done the works that He demands.
Go through the entire NT and you will see the importance of faith working through love (for Christians, those in Christ) over and over culminating in Revelation. In 20:12:
And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.
And: 22:12 "Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.
Faith, love, and good works are intertwined. Those who do not love do not know God. Love works.
The examples are legion.
Don't confuse the works of the dead Jewish law with the love based works of the Law of Christ (Love your neighbor as yourself)
Romans is a letter that addresses the Jewish Christians (they had been under the old Law) and Gentile Christians (they had not). Most of the time the works that are referred to are the dead works of the Law such as clothing regulations and food regulations, etc. But Paul still sees the importance of keep the commandment. Look at Romans 13:8
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.
and 9: The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not covet," and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
and 10: Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
John has been called the Apostle of Love but Paul is no less. John says that if we do not love our neighbor (fellow Christians first and foremost) then the love of God is not in us.
If our actions don't matter why do the New Testament writers warn people not to do bad things? They warn them over and over and over. They were writing to Christians. They also told Christians what they needed to be doing to have a part in the Kingdom of Heaven.
There is no eternal torment (Evangelical Hell). That is another subject.
The goal is Eternal Life. That is the good news. It is possible for those in Christ who obey their Master and work out their salvation with fear and trembling. Christ = God = Love = Good Works
This is an extensive subject. Much of modern Christianity has turned its back on love of neighbor (and even enemy). They have turned their backs on God.
I have no fear of Hell (eternal torment) or desire to do good for earthly gain. I desire to do good works to imitate my King and Master. I desire to lay up treasure in Heaven. I desire to live forever with Him. The eternal life has already started. A life of love is truly friendship and communion with God.
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