Salvation

[Arsenios]

Nothing is the correct answer.

God does it all.

Then you are a proponent of Do-Nothing Discipleship unto Salvation...

Got it...

Arsenios

 

[MoreCoffee]

Salvation is not so complicated nor so divorced from human will and human action. God saves, Jesus Christ is the Saviour, and human beings are saved by God. It is by grace through faith for the purpose of doing the good works that God prepared to be a Christian's way of life.

135. How will Christ judge the living and the dead?

Christ will judge with the power he has gained as the Redeemer of the world who came to bring salvation to all. The secrets of hearts will be brought to light as well as the conduct of each one toward God and toward his neighbour. Everyone, according to how he has lived, will either be filled with life or damned for eternity. In this way, “the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13) will come about in which “God will be all in all” (1 Corinthians 15:28).​

152. What does it mean to say that the Church is the universal sacrament of salvation?

This means that she is the sign and instrument both of the reconciliation and communion of all of humanity with God and of the unity of the entire human race.​

162. Where does the one Church of Christ subsist?

The one Church of Christ, as a society constituted and organised in the world, subsists in (subsistit in) the Catholic Church, governed by the Successor of Peter and the bishops in communion with him. Only through this Church can one obtain the fullness of the means of salvation since the Lord has entrusted all the blessings of the New Covenant to the apostolic college alone whose head is Peter.​

166. Why is the Church called “Catholic”?

The Church is catholic, that is universal, insofar as Christ is present in her: “Where there is Christ Jesus, there is the Catholic Church” (Saint Ignatius of Antioch). The Church proclaims the fullness and the totality of the faith; she bears and administers the fullness of the means of salvation; she is sent out by Christ on a mission to the whole of the human race.​

171. What is the meaning of the affirmation “Outside the Church there is no salvation”?

This means that all salvation comes from Christ, the Head, through the Church which is his body. Hence they cannot be saved who, knowing the Church as founded by Christ and necessary for salvation, would refuse to enter her or remain in her. At the same time, thanks to Christ and to his Church, those who through no fault of their own do not know the Gospel of Christ and his Church but sincerely seek God and, moved by grace, try to do his will as it is known through the dictates of conscience can attain eternal salvation.​

 

[MennoSota]

Lone Ranger Salvation...

Got it...

Me and God and NOBODY ELSE!!


Arsenios

God alone, Arsenios.
God establishes His covenant with us according to the promise, just as He established the promise to Abraham.
There is nothing "Lone Ranger" about God's adoption and covenant with His chosen people.

 

[MennoSota]

Then you are a proponent of Do-Nothing Discipleship unto Salvation...

Got it...

Arsenios

What can a dead man possibly do, Arsenios?
I am a proponent of being an ambassador of Reconciliation as scripture tells us.

 

[MennoSota]

Salvation is not so complicated nor so divorced from human will and human action. God saves, Jesus Christ is the Saviour, and human beings are saved by God. It is by grace through faith for the purpose of doing the good works that God prepared to be a Christian's way of life.

135. How will Christ judge the living and the dead?

Christ will judge with the power he has gained as the Redeemer of the world who came to bring salvation to all. The secrets of hearts will be brought to light as well as the conduct of each one toward God and toward his neighbour. Everyone, according to how he has lived, will either be filled with life or damned for eternity. In this way, “the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13) will come about in which “God will be all in all” (1 Corinthians 15:28).​

152. What does it mean to say that the Church is the universal sacrament of salvation?

This means that she is the sign and instrument both of the reconciliation and communion of all of humanity with God and of the unity of the entire human race.​

162. Where does the one Church of Christ subsist?

The one Church of Christ, as a society constituted and organised in the world, subsists in (subsistit in) the Catholic Church, governed by the Successor of Peter and the bishops in communion with him. Only through this Church can one obtain the fullness of the means of salvation since the Lord has entrusted all the blessings of the New Covenant to the apostolic college alone whose head is Peter.​

166. Why is the Church called “Catholic”?

The Church is catholic, that is universal, insofar as Christ is present in her: “Where there is Christ Jesus, there is the Catholic Church” (Saint Ignatius of Antioch). The Church proclaims the fullness and the totality of the faith; she bears and administers the fullness of the means of salvation; she is sent out by Christ on a mission to the whole of the human race.​

171. What is the meaning of the affirmation “Outside the Church there is no salvation”?

This means that all salvation comes from Christ, the Head, through the Church which is his body. Hence they cannot be saved who, knowing the Church as founded by Christ and necessary for salvation, would refuse to enter her or remain in her. At the same time, thanks to Christ and to his Church, those who through no fault of their own do not know the Gospel of Christ and his Church but sincerely seek God and, moved by grace, try to do his will as it is known through the dictates of conscience can attain eternal salvation.​

Do you expect people to accept your commentary as having any legitimacy or validity on the subject of salvation? If so...why?
Let scripture speak for itself rather than have Pharisees tell you what it means.

 

[MoreCoffee]

Do you expect people to accept your commentary as having any legitimacy or validity on the subject of salvation? If so...why?
Let scripture speak for itself rather than have Pharisees tell you what it means.

When holy scripture is quoted you say it is out of context but offer no context now you say "let scripture speak for itself". Well, okay. Here is holy scripture speaking for itself:

1 Peter 1:13 So, then, let your spirit be ready. Be alert, with confident trust, in the grace you will receive, when Jesus Christ appears. 14 Like obedient children, do not return to your former life, given over to ignorance and passions. 15 Imitate the one who called you. As he is holy, so you, too, be holy, in all your conduct, 16 since Scripture says: Be holy for I am holy. 17 You call upon a Father who makes no distinction between persons, but judges, according to each one’s deeds; take seriously, then, these years which you spend in a strange land. 18 Remember, that you were freed from the useless way of life of your ancestors, not with gold and silver, 19 but with the precious blood of the Lamb without spot or blemish. 20 God, who has known Christ before the world began, revealed him to you in the last days. 21 Through him, you have faith in God, who raised him from the dead, and glorified him, in order that you might put all your faith and hope in God. 22 In obeying the truth, you have gained interior purification, from which comes sincere mutual love. Love one another, then, with all your heart, 23 since you are born again, not from mortal beings, but with enduring life, through the word of God, who lives and remains forever. 24 It is written: All flesh is grass and its glory like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flower falls, 25 but the word of the Lord endures forever. This word, is the gospel, which has been brought to you.​

According to each one's deeds.

James 2:14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, to profess faith, without showing works? Such faith has no power to save you. 15 If a brother or sister is in need of clothes or food, 16 and one of you says, “May things go well for you; be warm and satisfied,” without attending to their material needs, what good is that? 17 So, it is, for faith without deeds: it is totally dead. 18 Say to whoever challenges you, “You have faith and I have good deeds; show me your faith apart from actions and I, for my part, will show you my faith in the way I act.” 19 Do you believe there is one God? Well enough, but do not forget, that the demons, also, believe, and tremble with fear! 20 You foolish one, do you have to be convinced, that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Think of our father Abraham. Was he not justified by the act of offering his son Isaac on the altar? 22 So you see, his faith was active, along with his deeds, and became perfect by what he did. 23 The word of Scripture was thus fulfilled, Abraham believed in God so he was considered a righteous person and he was called the friend of God. 24 So you see, a person is justified by works, and not by faith alone. 25 Likewise, we read of Rahab, the prostitute, that she was acknowledged and saved, because she welcomed the spies, and showed them another way to leave. 26 So, just as the body is dead without its spirit, so faith, without deeds is also dead.​

No one is justified by faith alone. One is justified by works and not by faith alone.

 

[MennoSota]

When holy scripture is quoted you say it is out of context but offer no context now you say "let scripture speak for itself". Well, okay. Here is holy scripture speaking for itself:

1 Peter 1:13 So, then, let your spirit be ready. Be alert, with confident trust, in the grace you will receive, when Jesus Christ appears. 14 Like obedient children, do not return to your former life, given over to ignorance and passions. 15 Imitate the one who called you. As he is holy, so you, too, be holy, in all your conduct, 16 since Scripture says: Be holy for I am holy. 17 You call upon a Father who makes no distinction between persons, but judges, according to each one’s deeds; take seriously, then, these years which you spend in a strange land. 18 Remember, that you were freed from the useless way of life of your ancestors, not with gold and silver, 19 but with the precious blood of the Lamb without spot or blemish. 20 God, who has known Christ before the world began, revealed him to you in the last days. 21 Through him, you have faith in God, who raised him from the dead, and glorified him, in order that you might put all your faith and hope in God. 22 In obeying the truth, you have gained interior purification, from which comes sincere mutual love. Love one another, then, with all your heart, 23 since you are born again, not from mortal beings, but with enduring life, through the word of God, who lives and remains forever. 24 It is written: All flesh is grass and its glory like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flower falls, 25 but the word of the Lord endures forever. This word, is the gospel, which has been brought to you.​

According to each one's deeds.

James 2:14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, to profess faith, without showing works? Such faith has no power to save you. 15 If a brother or sister is in need of clothes or food, 16 and one of you says, “May things go well for you; be warm and satisfied,” without attending to their material needs, what good is that? 17 So, it is, for faith without deeds: it is totally dead. 18 Say to whoever challenges you, “You have faith and I have good deeds; show me your faith apart from actions and I, for my part, will show you my faith in the way I act.” 19 Do you believe there is one God? Well enough, but do not forget, that the demons, also, believe, and tremble with fear! 20 You foolish one, do you have to be convinced, that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Think of our father Abraham. Was he not justified by the act of offering his son Isaac on the altar? 22 So you see, his faith was active, along with his deeds, and became perfect by what he did. 23 The word of Scripture was thus fulfilled, Abraham believed in God so he was considered a righteous person and he was called the friend of God. 24 So you see, a person is justified by works, and not by faith alone. 25 Likewise, we read of Rahab, the prostitute, that she was acknowledged and saved, because she welcomed the spies, and showed them another way to leave. 26 So, just as the body is dead without its spirit, so faith, without deeds is also dead.​

No one is justified by faith alone. One is justified by works and not by faith alone.

Thank you. Both passages are written to the elect who had already been saved. If you took the time to read and observe those passages you would see that and know that neither passage is applicable to those who are still dead in their trespasses and sins.

 

[MoreCoffee]

Thank you. Both passages are written to the elect who had already been saved. If you took the time to read and observe those passages you would see that and know that neither passage is applicable to those who are still dead in their trespasses and sins.

You ought to let the holy scriptures speak for themselves rather than offering your commentary on what you think they mean. What the passages say is that:

• God makes no distinction between persons, but judges, according to each one’s deeds.
• A person is justified by works, and not by faith alone.
• And just as the body is dead without its spirit, so faith, without deeds is also dead.

 

[MennoSota]

You ought to let the holy scriptures speak for themselves rather than offering your commentary on what you think they mean. What the passages say is that:

• God makes no distinction between persons, but judges, according to each one’s deeds.
• A person is justified by works, and not by faith alone.
• And just as the body is dead without its spirit, so faith, without deeds is also dead.

The scriptures do speak for themselves. In both letters the authors are writing to the elect.

 

[MoreCoffee]

The scriptures do speak for themselves. In both letters the authors are writing to the elect.

Let the holy scriptures speak for themselves rather than offering your commentary on what you think they mean. What the passages say is that:

• God makes no distinction between persons, but judges, according to each one’s deeds.
• A person is justified by works, and not by faith alone.
• And just as the body is dead without its spirit, so faith, without deeds is also dead.

So since these statements are written to the elect Let's make that clear ...

• To the elect let it be known that God makes no distinction between persons, but judges, according to each one’s deeds.
• To the elect let it be known that A person is justified by works, and not by faith alone.
• To the elect let it be known that just as the body is dead without its spirit, so faith, without deeds is also dead.

 

[MennoSota]

Let the holy scriptures speak for themselves rather than offering your commentary on what you think they mean. What the passages say is that:

• God makes no distinction between persons, but judges, according to each one’s deeds.
• A person is justified by works, and not by faith alone.
• And just as the body is dead without its spirit, so faith, without deeds is also dead.

So since these statements are written to the elect Let's make that clear ...

• To the elect let it be known that God makes no distinction between persons, but judges, according to each one’s deeds.
• To the elect let it be known that A person is justified by works, and not by faith alone.
• To the elect let it be known that just as the body is dead without its spirit, so faith, without deeds is also dead.

Ok...
What does scripture say about who Peter and James are addressing in their letters?
1 Peter 1:1-2
[1]This letter is from Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ.I am writing to God’s chosen people who are living as foreigners in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.
[2]God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ.May God give you more and more grace and peace.
James 1:1
[1]This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.I am writing to the “twelve tribes”—Jewish believers scattered abroad.Greetings!

Now...I will say it again, the writers are speaking to the elect.
This ain't rocket science, MC, it's scripture. When you keep in mind who the letter is addressed to, it helps you understand what the author is actually saying rather than what you wish he was saying.

 

[MoreCoffee]

Ok...
What does scripture say about who Peter and James are addressing in their letters?
1 Peter 1:1-2
[1]This letter is from Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ.I am writing to God’s chosen people who are living as foreigners in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.
[2]God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ.May God give you more and more grace and peace.
James 1:1
[1]This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.I am writing to the “twelve tribes”—Jewish believers scattered abroad.Greetings!

Now...I will say it again, the writers are speaking to the elect.
This ain't rocket science, MC, it's scripture. When you keep in mind who the letter is addressed to, it helps you understand what the author is actually saying rather than what you wish he was saying.

As previously stated:

• To the elect let it be known that God makes no distinction between persons, but judges, according to each one’s deeds.
• To the elect let it be known that A person is justified by works, and not by faith alone.
• To the elect let it be known that just as the body is dead without its spirit, so faith, without deeds is also dead.

Since these things are intended for the elect it is clear that saints Peter and James intend the elect to know that God judges, according to each one’s deeds, and A person is justified by works, and not by faith alone, and faith, without deeds is dead.
These things being true forms the foundation of the gospel message from saints Peter and James to the elect regarding judgement, justification, and faith.

 

[MennoSota]

As previously stated:

• To the elect let it be known that God makes no distinction between persons, but judges, according to each one’s deeds.
• To the elect let it be known that A person is justified by works, and not by faith alone.
• To the elect let it be known that just as the body is dead without its spirit, so faith, without deeds is also dead.

Since these things are intended for the elect it is clear that saints Peter and James intend the elect to know that God judges, according to each one’s deeds, and A person is justified by works, and not by faith alone, and faith, without deeds is dead.
These things being true forms the foundation of the gospel message from saints Peter and James to the elect regarding judgement, justification, and faith.

The works of the saints are judged. We agree. The scriptures tell us so. The works of the saints have nothing to do with their salvation as salvation is by God's grace, not our works.
The works of the saints are caused by God's salvation. They are the effects of God's work in redeeming and sanctifying the saints.
Your verses attest to this truth.
Why is it so hard for you to grasp cause and effect, MC?

 

[Josiah]

As previously stated:

• To the elect let it be known that God makes no distinction between persons, but judges, according to each one’s deeds.
• To the elect let it be known that A person is justified by works, and not by faith alone.
• To the elect let it be known that just as the body is dead without its spirit, so faith, without deeds is also dead.

Everyone agrees that true faith is accompanied by our works - as James says. NO ONE ON THE PLANET has ever disagreed with that point. Where we disagree with YOU (not James) is that ergo Jesus' works are a joke and irrelevant and don't save anyone (thus, Jesus is not the Savior) bur rather each one saves himself by his own works. Where I disagree with the Catholic spin is (as one of our Catholic teachers put it). "Actually, Jesus saves no one but makes it POSSIBLE for all to save themselves by their own works." James not teaching that, James believed that Jesus actually IS the Savior and actually saves - because of HIS works.


Correct, without the spirit, one is DEAD. And unable to chose, seek, or do anything spiritual - including saving themselves. Protestants believed that THEREFORE, we need the SAVIOR. Protestants believe that Jesus is the Savior. JESUS (not self - not now, not ever.... not 100% and no5\t 0.0000000000001%), IS (factually, fully) THE (one and only, all-sufficient).... SAVIOR (not enabler, not helper, not offerer, not possibility-maker, not door opener). Several of us have been upholding that Protestant position here for as long as CH has existed, and you have been debating that since you arrived.


Protestants hold that the HOLY SPIRIT (not self) is the LORD and the GIVER of Life.... GIVER of life, not offerer. God GIVES the Holy Spirit -faith - life and thus Justification (narrow) since the that is what Justification (narrow) is. Once one is alive, once one has the Holy Spirit, once one has faith (Justification narrow), most of what you say is absolutely true (as Protestants stress more Catholics) but that's not the debate.


For 88 pages in this thread, many of us have given the Protestant position. And a couple have gone on and on and on and on and on debating, ridiculting, mocking, denouncing, rejecting it. OR evading by changing the subject to something we agree on and thus evading the RCC position in the Reformation.




- Josiah




.

 

[MoreCoffee]

The works of the saints are judged.

That's not right. It is persons who are judged, not works. The passage says "You call upon a Father who makes no distinction between persons, but judges, according to each one’s deeds"

We agree.

No, we do not agree if you change what holy scripture says so that in your version is it "works" that are judged while in the holy scriptures it is "persons". We cannot be in agreement as long as you substitute your own words for the inspired words of holy scripture.

The scriptures tell us so. The works of the saints have nothing to do with their salvation as salvation is by God's grace, not our works.

You are wrong to say that it is works and not persons who are judged. Holy scripture says:

1 Peter 1:13 13 So, then, let your spirit be ready. Be alert, with confident trust, in the grace you will receive, when Jesus Christ appears. 14 Like obedient children, do not return to your former life, given over to ignorance and passions. 15 Imitate the one who called you. As he is holy, so you, too, be holy, in all your conduct, 16 since Scripture says: Be holy for I am holy. 17 You call upon a Father who makes no distinction between persons, but judges, according to each one’s deeds; take seriously, then, these years which you spend in a strange land. 18 Remember, that you were freed from the useless way of life of your ancestors, not with gold and silver, 19 but with the precious blood of the Lamb without spot or blemish. 20 God, who has known Christ before the world began, revealed him to you in the last days. 21 Through him, you have faith in God, who raised him from the dead, and glorified him, in order that you might put all your faith and hope in God. 22 In obeying the truth, you have gained interior purification, from which comes sincere mutual love. Love one another, then, with all your heart, 23 since you are born again, not from mortal beings, but with enduring life, through the word of God, who lives and remains forever. 24 It is written: All flesh is grass and its glory like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flower falls, 25 but the word of the Lord endures forever. This word, is the gospel, which has been brought to you.​

The works of the saints are caused by God's salvation. They are the effects of God's work in redeeming and sanctifying the saints.
Your verses attest to this truth.
Why is it so hard for you to grasp cause and effect, MC?

What makes your line of reasoning so "hard" is that it starts with misunderstanding the holy scriptures and ends in error. The truth is that it is very "easy" to understand. It is like that broad and spacious road that leads to destruction that the Lord Jesus Christ warned against following, so I do not follow your path to destruction; I strongly recommend that you stop following it too.

 

[MoreCoffee]

Everyone agrees that true faith is accompanied by our works - as James says.

What saint James wrote is "a person is justified by works, and not by faith alone"

James 2:14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, to profess faith, without showing works? Such faith has no power to save you. 15 If a brother or sister is in need of clothes or food, 16 and one of you says, “May things go well for you; be warm and satisfied,” without attending to their material needs, what good is that? 17 So, it is, for faith without deeds: it is totally dead. 18 Say to whoever challenges you, “You have faith and I have good deeds; show me your faith apart from actions and I, for my part, will show you my faith in the way I act.” 19 Do you believe there is one God? Well enough, but do not forget, that the demons, also, believe, and tremble with fear! 20 You foolish one, do you have to be convinced, that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Think of our father Abraham. Was he not justified by the act of offering his son Isaac on the altar? 22 So you see, his faith was active, along with his deeds, and became perfect by what he did. 23 The word of Scripture was thus fulfilled, Abraham believed in God so he was considered a righteous person and he was called the friend of God. 24 So you see, a person is justified by works, and not by faith alone. 25 Likewise, we read of Rahab, the prostitute, that she was acknowledged and saved, because she welcomed the spies, and showed them another way to leave. 26 So, just as the body is dead without its spirit, so faith, without deeds is also dead.​

NO ONE ON THE PLANET has ever disagreed with that point. Where we disagree with YOU (not James) is that ergo Jesus' works are a joke and irrelevant and don't save anyone

No post I ever wrote says what you claim is said by me. Nothing I have said or written says what you claim I've said. You are wrong to make such a claim. It is untrue. If you can produce a post where such a thing is written then it will be written by somebody other than me.

(thus, Jesus is not the Savior) bur rather each one saves himself by his own works. Where I disagree with the Catholic spin is (as one of our Catholic teachers put it). "Actually, Jesus saves no one but makes it POSSIBLE for all to save themselves by their own works." James not teaching that, James believed that Jesus actually IS the Savior and actually saves - because of HIS works.

Correct, without the spirit, one is DEAD. And unable to chose, seek, or do anything spiritual - including saving themselves. Protestants believed that THEREFORE, we need the SAVIOR. Protestants believe that Jesus is the Savior. JESUS (not self - not now, not ever.... not 100% and no5\t 0.0000000000001%), IS (factually, fully) THE (one and only, all-sufficient).... SAVIOR (not enabler, not helper, not offerer, not possibility-maker, not door opener). Several of us have been upholding that Protestant position here for as long as CH has existed, and you have been debating that since you arrived.

Protestants hold that the HOLY SPIRIT (not self) is the LORD and the GIVER of Life.... GIVER of life, not offerer. God GIVES the Holy Spirit -faith - life and thus Justification (narrow) since the that is what Justification (narrow) is. Once one is alive, once one has the Holy Spirit, once one has faith (Justification narrow), most of what you say is absolutely true (as Protestants stress more Catholics) but that's not the debate.

For 88 pages in this thread, many of us have given the Protestant position. And a couple have gone on and on and on and on and on debating, ridiculting, mocking, denouncing, rejecting it. OR evading by changing the subject to something we agree on and thus evading the RCC position in the Reformation.

- Josiah

Remember, Josiah, that the Lord, Jesus Christ, promises that the truth shall make you free. It is a wonderful gift - this freedom in which the faithful dwell, it is the freedom of the sons of God.

 

[Albion]

What saint James wrote is "a person is justified by works, and not by faith alone"

oke: After 800+ posts, the same misunderstanding of that verse is STILL being put forth as though it settles the issue? Really?

 

[psalms 91]

misunderstood? Seems to me that the verse si very clear

 

[MennoSota]

Do you see a difference between works and deeds? They are synonymous for me.

That's not right. It is persons who are judged, not works. The passage says "You call upon a Father who makes no distinction between persons, but judges, according to each one’s deeds" No, we do not agree if you change what holy scripture says so that in your version is it "works" that are judged while in the holy scriptures it is "persons". We cannot be in agreement as long as you substitute your own words for the inspired words of holy scripture. You are wrong to say that it is works and not persons who are judged. Holy scripture says:

1 Peter 1:13 13 So, then, let your spirit be ready. Be alert, with confident trust, in the grace you will receive, when Jesus Christ appears. 14 Like obedient children, do not return to your former life, given over to ignorance and passions. 15 Imitate the one who called you. As he is holy, so you, too, be holy, in all your conduct, 16 since Scripture says: Be holy for I am holy. 17 You call upon a Father who makes no distinction between persons, but judges, according to each one’s deeds; take seriously, then, these years which you spend in a strange land. 18 Remember, that you were freed from the useless way of life of your ancestors, not with gold and silver, 19 but with the precious blood of the Lamb without spot or blemish. 20 God, who has known Christ before the world began, revealed him to you in the last days. 21 Through him, you have faith in God, who raised him from the dead, and glorified him, in order that you might put all your faith and hope in God. 22 In obeying the truth, you have gained interior purification, from which comes sincere mutual love. Love one another, then, with all your heart, 23 since you are born again, not from mortal beings, but with enduring life, through the word of God, who lives and remains forever. 24 It is written: All flesh is grass and its glory like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flower falls, 25 but the word of the Lord endures forever. This word, is the gospel, which has been brought to you.​

What makes your line of reasoning so "hard" is that it starts with misunderstanding the holy scriptures and ends in error. The truth is that it is very "easy" to understand. It is like that broad and spacious road that leads to destruction that the Lord Jesus Christ warned against following, so I do not follow your path to destruction; I strongly recommend that you stop following it too.

Here's what you quoted:

You call upon a Father who makes no distinction between persons, but judges, according to each one’s deeds

The judgment is the deeds, MC. It is right there in your quote.
You get it wrong at the very beginning and that messes up the rest of your thinking. No one can help you if you cannot see the obvious statement in that text.

 

[MoreCoffee]

oke:...

James 2:14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, to profess faith, without showing works? Such faith has no power to save you. 15 If a brother or sister is in need of clothes or food, 16 and one of you says, “May things go well for you; be warm and satisfied,” without attending to their material needs, what good is that? 17 So, it is, for faith without deeds: it is totally dead. 18 Say to whoever challenges you, “You have faith and I have good deeds; show me your faith apart from actions and I, for my part, will show you my faith in the way I act.” 19 Do you believe there is one God? Well enough, but do not forget, that the demons, also, believe, and tremble with fear! 20 You foolish one, do you have to be convinced, that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Think of our father Abraham. Was he not justified by the act of offering his son Isaac on the altar? 22 So you see, his faith was active, along with his deeds, and became perfect by what he did. 23 The word of Scripture was thus fulfilled, Abraham believed in God so he was considered a righteous person and he was called the friend of God. 24 So you see, a person is justified by works, and not by faith alone. 25 Likewise, we read of Rahab, the prostitute, that she was acknowledged and saved, because she welcomed the spies, and showed them another way to leave. 26 So, just as the body is dead without its spirit, so faith, without deeds is also dead.

It's a lovely passage. Very educational for those willing to learn from saint James. But James didn't invent the theology he writes about. The Lord, Jesus Christ, invented it:

John 15:1 I am the true vine and my Father is the vine grower. 2 If any of my branches doesn’t bear fruit, he breaks it off; and he prunes every branch that does bear fruit, that it may bear even more fruit. 3 You are already made clean by the word I have spoken to you. 4 Live in me as I live in you. The branch cannot bear fruit by itself, but has to remain part of the vine; so neither can you, if you don’t remain in me. 5 I am the vine and you are the branches. As long as you remain in me and I in you, you bear much fruit; but apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Whoever does not remain in me is thrown away, as they do with branches, and they wither. Then they are gathered and thrown into the fi re and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask whatever you want, and it will be given to you. 8 My Father is glorified when you bear much fruit: it is then that you become my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Remain in my love! 10 You will remain in my love if you keep my commandments, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you all this, that my own joy may be in you, and your joy may be complete. 12 This is my commandment: Love one another as I have loved you! 13 There is no greater love than this, to give one’s life for one’s friends; 14 and you are my friends, if you do what I command you. 15 I shall not call you servants any more, because servants do not know what their master is about. Instead, I have called you friends, since I have made known to you everything I learned from my Father. 16 You did not choose me; it was I who chose you and sent you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last. And everything you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. 17 This is my command, that you love one another.​