The problem is that you are not defining or elaborating on what Biblical Faith ("authentic faith") is and includes. Bible Highlighter has been pointing this out in his use of "Belief Alone-ism." This is an old debate that still rages: Faith alone vs. Faith is never alone.
Hebrews 11:1 - Now
faith is the
assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. The word translated faith is found in the Greek lexicon of the Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance and is defined as follows: #4102; pistis; persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher),
especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself:--assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.
Although works are produced by authentic faith, works are not included in the definition of faith. Works are the fruit, by product and demonstrative evidence of authentic faith, but not the essence of faith and also not the means or basis by which we obtain or maintain salvation. From beginning "have been saved through faith" (Ephesians 2:8) to end "receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls" (1 Peter 1:9) salvation is by grace through faith and is not by works.
Here is a good example on how certain people error by "including" works in faith and teach salvation by faith and works. I was recently in a discussion with a Roman Catholic who claimed that the Roman Catholic church does not teach salvation by works, then afterwards contradicted himself by making this statement below
in blue:
We ARE saved by faith - as long as you properly define "Faith". Faith is NOT simply "believing". Faith INCLUDES: Being baptized, eating His body and drinking His blood/partaking the Lord's Supper during Mass, works of mercy and charity, obeying his commandments, doing the will of the Father etc..
His argument about the Roman Catholic church not teaching salvation by works, then afterward stating that faith is "defined as" and
INCLUDES these works above is just sugar coated double talk and equates to salvation through faith (his version of faith) + works. It's all smoke and mirrors. BTW where do you attend church?
When Jesus said that we must believe in Him to have eternal life, some want to take this as Faith Alone and some counter this by saying Faith is never Alone.
The Bible clearly states in many passages of scripture that we are saved through belief/faith
"apart from additions or modifications." (Luke 8:12; John 1:12; 3:15,16,18,36; 6:40,47; 11:25,26; Acts 10:43; 13:39; 16:31; 26:18; Romans 1:16; 3:22-28; 4:5-6; 10:4; 1 Corinthians 1:21; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8; Philippians 3:9; 2 Timothy 3:15; 1 John 5:13 etc..).
You don't need to add the word "alone" next to "belief/faith" in each of these passages of scripture in order to figure out that the words, "belief/faith" stand alone in connection with receiving eternal life/salvation. Do these many passages of scripture say belief/faith "plus something else?" Plus works? NO. So then it's
faith (rightly understood) IN CHRIST ALONE.
You've already pointed out that Faith must have works or it is dead faith. So, you've begun to explain what's included in Biblical Faith and why it's never alone, which is what the never alone group is trying to explain.
Faith must result in producing works (all genuine believers are fruitful, yet not all are equally fruitful) or else it demonstrates that it's dead. This does not mean that works are "included" in faith or are the very essence of faith. Faith is the root of salvation and works are the fruit. No fruit at all would demonstrate there is no root. Certain people in the never alone group cross the line and teach salvation by faith AND WORKS.
Man is saved through faith and not by works (Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5; 2 Timothy 1:9); yet genuine faith is substantiated, evidenced by works. (James 2:14-26).
Christ saves us through faith based on the merits of His finished work of redemption "alone" and not based on the merits of our works. It is through faith "in Christ alone" (and not based on the merits of our works) that we are justified on account of Christ (Romans 3:24; 5:1; 5:9); yet the faith that justifies does not remain alone (unfruitful, barren) if it is genuine (James 2:14-26). *Perfect Harmony*
Now, if you do more work from the Text, you'll find that Faith & Obedience are correlated. So, Biblical Faith now includes Obedience to God + Works God has prepared for us to do. If you continue your research on Biblical Faith, you'll find several others words that explain what it includes.
When you say that faith "includes" obedience to God + works, you are basically saying that faith "is" obedience/works and that we are saved through faith + obedience/works, which is in error. Obedience, which is produced after having been saved through faith is works and we are not saved by works. We are saved FOR good works and NOT BY good works. (Ephesians 2:8-10)
James is foundational for explaining Biblical Faith. Paul comes along in Romans 4:2 and uses a first-class condition (which is an assumption of truth for the sake of argument) and says:
NKJ Romans 4:1-2 What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh1? 2 For if (assuming it's true for the sake of argument) Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.
Paul could not have made this any clearer. Romans 4:2 - 2 For
if Abraham was
justified by works, he has
something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham
believed God, and
it (faith, not works) was
accounted to him for righteousness." Paul then goes on to say in verse 5-6: But to him who
does not work but
believes on Him who justifies the ungodly,
his faith is accounted for righteousness, just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom
God imputes righteousness apart from works. *Crystal clear, yet certain people will still try to "get around" that anyway they can and teach salvation by faith AND WORKS.
Frankly, I think Paul is dealing with what James had taught. Paul does not negate Faith + Works, he simply says that it's the [Biblical] Faith (that contains obedience and works and...) that God credited righteousness to.
Paul clearly negates salvation by faith + works and teaches salvation by faith, not works. (Romans 4:2-6; Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5; 2 Timothy 1:9 etc..). Certain people will try to "get around" these passages of scripture by teaching we are saved by "these" works (good works/works of faith/works of obedience etc..) and just not "those" works (specific works of the law) but that argument is bogus.
Salvation is God's Plan and God's work. His work is primary and foundational. Even when we work with Him to accomplish our Salvation with fear and trembling, He is working in us to energize us to do what He requires of us (Philippians 2).
So how hard must we work in order to help God accomplish our salvation? That is "type 2 works salvation."
Apart from Him we can do nothing (John 15 per Jesus re: the vine, which also tell us that Biblical Faith must be abiding/remaining and not momentary). Attached to Him He nourishes & energizes us and we then produce (working with Him in accomplishing our Salvation).
It's not about Biblical faith must abide, but will abide. A bare profession of faith that does not abide demonstrates that it's a spurious faith. The Greek word for "abide" is "meno" which means to remain, tarry, not to depart, continue to be present. This is not something that only super saints do.
1 John 4:13 - By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit... 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
If we simply define Biblical Faith, then, Yes, every one of those verses that says believe in Him for life means having a Biblical Faith, which is obedient, lasting, does works, etc...
Biblical faith results in producing obedience/works and continues and is not some shallow, temporary belief that has no root, produces no fruit and withers away.
Faith Alone is correct, but only if we understand what Biblical Faith is, and can rightly divide where God says our work is not involved, because only He can do the necessary work.
At times I will hear Roman Catholics say that "faith alone" is correct "after" they "shoe horn" works "into" faith, but it's really salvation by faith + works and not salvation through faith in Christ alone.