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@indonesia-phil saidIf it were about good works, doing good things,(just because), and the bar was very low for how much or many good works, with those expectations maybe. However, perfection is the righteousness of Christ inputted to us due to Jesus going cross, God's grace is unmerited favor, therefore we cannot work for it or earn it. It's the cart and the horse, if we put our faith in Christ our living hope by trying to earn His grace, that is suggesting we have to work for God's grace and earn God's grace and mercy.
I once 'believed', i.e. I was indoctrinated into the Christian faith and went along with it for a bit, and I suppose I still follow the commandments; not stealing, killing anyone or coveting next doors' ox or whatever, so am I covered do you reckon?
Receiving Christ, due to His salvation turning us from our evil ways that He died to save us from is simply fruit that is seen, as He transforms our lives from the inside out. The thief on the cross turned to Christ in the middle of His execution as he hung dying, He professed his faith in Christ there, and was accepted, we are saved by grace through faith, and even that is a gift of God.
Grace and mercy can be given to the guilty, no need to give them who are righteous. Righteousness demands justice, divine righteousness set the bar as high as it can possibly be, so that every crime will be paid for in full. God tells us we are all unworthy because everyone has sinned, and a way was made for everyone to receive forgiveness, those that don't think it is needed or required will not come, only those that know they are guilty and in need of God's grace, will gladly. Those that think they have to add to Jesus' sacrifice by saying they need to do whatever to add to as to top off His grace lacks, are diminishing the grace of God by saying it isn't enough. Telling Jesus what He did was insufficient giving up His life on the cross wasn't enough we have to add it to our justification with our own efforts is insulting Christ.
Putting our faith in Christ, then walking out our lives with Him we receive the forgiveness of God we could never earn, and we start living the lives we should have with God. Jesus Christ is the means to God as the only way, and He is also the end, being God.
@kellyjay saidPutting our faith in Christ, then walking out our lives with Him we receive the forgiveness of God we could never earn
Putting our faith in Christ, then walking out our lives with Him we receive the forgiveness of God we could never earn, and we start living the lives we should have with God. Jesus Christ is the means to God as the only way, and He is also the end, being God.
So you can earn forgiveness by putting your faith in Christ, right?
@kellyjay saidSo by putting your faith in Christ and "living the life [you] should", you can "earn" everlasting life? Perhaps this is what James was getting at.
Putting our faith in Christ, then walking out our lives with Him we receive the forgiveness of God we could never earn, and we start living the lives we should have with God.