As to the faith/works issue, I wrote this about 9 years ago while having a discussion about it with a Catholic friend. It's my opinion about the subject.
All of these verses are from the New American Bible as found at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website.
First, let me state that works are a good thing and important thing. Our conduct (works) is basically a billboard for God and can actually help draw people toward God.
Mat 5:16 Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.
But our works, as good as they may be, are not good enough. Works can not get you into the door of heaven.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?'
While most Protestants do not believe works will get you to heaven, some do believe that a person's conduct (works) on earth will result in rewards once they get to heaven.
Mat 16:27 For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father's glory, and then he will repay everyone according to his conduct.
Now there is one "work" (if you want to call it that) that will get you to heaven and that work is FAITH.
Jhn 6:28-29 So they said to him, "What can we do to accomplish the works of God?" Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent."
Let's look at some other things that Jesus said about salvation, and you'll notice that none include works.
Jhn 6:35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.
Jhn 6:40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him (on) the last day."
Jhn 6:47 Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.
Paul says that is basically an either or situation. That if you can be saved by works that it in essence tosses grace (and what Jesus suffered on the cross) out of the window.
Romans 11:6 But if by grace, it is no longer because of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.
Paul seems pretty adament that no works from us will get us into heaven.
Eph 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so no one may boast.
Titus seem to agree with Paul that salvation comes completely through Jesus and not by any works that we do.
Titus 3:5 not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the holy Spirit,
Even Peter seem to agree that works are not what results in salvation.
1 Peter 1:8-9 Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of (your) faith, the salvation of your souls.
Now comes the good one. The one who everyone who likes to rely on works refers to: James. For this one, I'm going to post the verses first and my opinion afterward.
James 2:14-26 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well," but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it? So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead. Indeed someone might say, "You have faith and I have works." Demonstrate your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works. You believe that God is one. You do well. Even the demons believe that and tremble. Do you want proof, you ignoramus, that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by the works. Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called "the friend of God." See how a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by a different route? For just as a body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
Let's look at Abraham and Isaac. The act of Abraham placing Isaac upon the alter and drawing back the knife to strike was a physical manifestation of Abraham's faith in God. Faith came first THEN the physical manifestation (works). The physical manifestation did not spare Isaac. The faith did. The physical manifestation (works) only gave outward proof of the faith. Faith saved Isaac. Faith saves our souls. James is attempting to get through to people's heads that just saying "I believe" is not enough. It has to be a "life changing believing" in essence. And if it is a "life changing believing" you will indeed change and your works will change to match your new life. If a person claims to be saved but does not have the physical manifestation (works) of that salvation then chances are that person is still lost and is only giving lip-service to the term. Their faith is basically dead.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.
