This issue has been discussed many times. The bible speaks of many different types of works: works of God, works of Satan; works of righteousness, works of the flesh, works of meirt, etc.
And the central issue that seems to always get clouded with devilish little twists and spins is which of these actually solicits a declaration of right standing before God. And, ironically, you didn't even list the one that does that--the 'work', the 'labor' (Jesus' figure of speech) of trusting in the blood of Christ.
Paul says "deeds...done in righteousness" (Titus 3:5), which logically doesn't include faith itself, for that is what he is contrasting work done in righteousness with, is not what justifies a person. We are justified by the grace and mercy of God's forgiveness apart from what we do, except believe of course, for belief in Christ is how we access the grace of God (Romans 5:1-2).
Those that follow faith only theology wrongly assume that when Paul says "apart from works" they assume that "works" here include ALL types of works when it does not!
So you're saying those who follow James' faith alone argument, that a faith that does not uphold the law is a faith that can not save, of which most of us are followers, assume that Paul somehow teaches that what we do is what justifies us? Show me where he says that, okay?
The works Paul is excluding are works of merit and not obedient works of the gospel as belief repentance confessing and submitting to baptism.
Nope. He said 'deeds...
done in righteousness' (righteous deeds
done in a right and fitting way, not in the way of 'works of the law' for all that connotes) are not what justify a person. Why would he say this if there really are 'deeds...
done in righteousness' that justify????? Answer the question, please.
Rom 6 and Rom 10 are just two passages where Paul puts odedience BEFORE salvation/justification.
Only the 'obedience of trusting that God can, or has, forgiven your sins through the efficacious blood of Christ is required to access the God's grace of justification leading to salvation (only justified people can be saved). From there, there are expected and obligatory responses that faith produces. What you're really arguing for are 'what are those expected and obligatory responses that if not done show one is not in, or continuing in, the faith that saves?' Paul lists those...and the things some people vehemently defend simply are not in his lists. Ceremonial things, though required by God,
don't necessarily validate or invalidate a confession of faith. There are things that do that, namely, the things that uphold 'love your neighbor as yourself'.
