I see that you are still advocating sinless perfection and salvation by works. Good luck with that. You remain caught up in the “holier than thou” syndrome.
I do not believe you have to be perfect to be saved. Hence, why I believe there is mortal sin and non-mortal sin. 1 John 5:16-17 teaches there is a sin not unto death (i.e. non-mortal sin). But Protestants don’t believe that even though that is what Scripture plainly says. Even if it is referring to a sin that immediately leads to physical death vs. sin that does not lead immediately to physical death, it’s still a distinction between one type of sin over another in that one leads to death and the other does not. Protestants are just doing a fancy dance around this passage so as to not believe it. Yes, I am not Catholic. I am strongly against many of their unbiblical practices
(like praying to Mary, confessing sins to a priest, bowing down to statues, a pope, statues and icons everywhere, denial of Sola Scriptura, their great accumulation of wealth, a denial that we are all priests, forbidding to marry, they call men their father, etc.) but I do see that they are closer to the truth on this topic (not that they are correct entirely on this topic in their exact definitions on what all is mortal sin and non-mortal sin in the Bible).
As for the claim that I believe in salvation by works:
Well, if I were to take that statement at face value alone it would be a false accusation because I don’t believe we are saved solely on the basis of works ALONE. I believe Christians are initially and foundationally saved by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ, the gospel, and in seeking forgiveness with the Lord Jesus Christ (without the deeds of the Law). This is the first aspect of our salvation and it is the foundation upon which we stand. God’s grace. Without it, we would all be doomed because every person needs to have their past slate of sin wiped out by the grace of Jesus Christ. The gospel is 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. It’s believing that Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He was risen three days later for our salvation. This is the gospel we stand upon. It’s no more and no less than that. But this does not mean there is not another secondary aspect of salvation that follows in being saved by God’s grace. For there is also a
call of the gospel (not that it is the gospel). 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 mentions this call of the gospel. The call of the gospel (verse 14) is that… God has chosen you to salvation through Sanctification of the Spirit and a belief of the truth (verse 13). Sanctification here is not referring to a one time event of being born again by the Spirit, but it is referring to how the Spirit sanctifies us throughout our entire lives. How do we know this? Because of the context. Verse 12 gives us the polar opposite of what verse 13 says.
Verse 12 - believed not the truth (contrast with):
Verse 13 - belief of the truth.
Verse 12 - pleasure in unrighteousness (contrast with):
Verse 13 - sanctification of the Spirit.
The same is true when we compare verse 13 with verses 16-17.
Verse 16 - good hope through grace (contrast with):
Verse 13 - belief of the truth.
Verse 17 - establish you in every good word and work (contrast with):
Verse 13: - sanctification of the Spirit.
For without holiness, no man shall see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).
“And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation” (John 5:29).
“And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 25:30).
For one can deny God by being reprobate unto every good work (or good fruit) in their life.
“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny
him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” (Titus 1:16).
Side Note:
Also, works, or putting away grievous sin out of our lives (living holy by the Sanctification of the Holy Spirit) is a part of the faith just as believing in God’s grace is a part of the faith. Check out this thread here:
The Two Sides of the Coin of Faith
In other words, the works salvation that Paul is condemning is “Works ALONE Salvationism” (that did not include being saved by God’s grace) (cf. Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 4:3-5, Titus 3:5). At the Jerusalem council in Acts of the Apostles 15, we learn that there were certain Jews who were trying to get Gentile Christians to be circumcised to be initially saved (instead of being saved by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ). For if a person thought they had to be saved by circumcision as their entrance of gate of being saved, they would be making a work or the Law the basis or foundation of their salvation. This is why Paul spoke in a negative light against works and or the Law (i.e. the Old Law). For Paul said to the Galatians that if you seek to be circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing (Galatians 5:2). But Paul was not against all forms of Law after being saved by God’s grace. Paul said he was under the Law (Laws) of Christ (See: 1 Corinthians 9:21). Paul said if any teach otherwise and does not agree with the words of Jesus Christ and the doctrine according to godliness, he is proud and he knows nothing (1 Timothy 6:3-4).