@Gracia Singh Hi, Gracia
Welcome to our discussion
I would say that Eastern Orthodox teaching and Roman Catholic teaching can be the same and there are differences. Also, I'm betting each individual member of either group can have more or less unique ideas and ways of explaining things. Because, no matter how much we try to conform to a group's teachings, and be the same, each of us is unique; and this can effect how we are able to understand things. Also, what is very important is our attitude behind whatever we decide is true.
One can be very into looking down on others who have different ideas, while others are maybe too open to thinking anything they believe could be wrong . . . maybe double-guessing or over-thinking.
I think what is important is to get the love meaning of each scripture. See how anything of God's word has application to how He wants us to be in our character; seek how our Father desires for each of us to be personal and intimate with Him (1 Corinthians 6:17, Romans 5:5) while we are submitting to how He guides us in His peace (Colossians 3:15); and discover how Jesus wants us to relate in love with every person (Matthew 5:46), including to be a good example (1 Peter 5:3) for those who do not know how to love.
Always have hope for any person, like how Jesus on the cross had hope for any evil person, at all. And Jesus never gave up on any of His disciples. So, this needs to be feeding how we understand God's word and how we do our works.
Paul says we need "faith working through love," in Galatians 5:6. So, I consider this means that we need works of love.
I think that Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic both believe in "sacraments" which are special works which can minister God's grace to us so we will be saved. These would include baptism and communion.
Others believe that works do not minister grace, but they understand that works are evidence that we have faith but they do not minister grace of salvation.
But I personally find that any work we do in God's love is ministering God's grace. I mean grace which is the action and effect of God in His power of love in us > Philippians 2:13 > God in us works in our nature and character while He has us doing works of His love and His persona leading in us > Isaiah 58:11. So, this is essential . . . whatsoever God has us doing, because He is changing us to become more like Jesus (1 John 4:17, Galatians 4:19) while He is in us working us to do His works. So, works which James means are not limited to certain specially established "sacraments", but also James does not mean actions which are only a gesture to God and others and ourselves.
If we consider works to be only evidence, can't this get us into a pride thing? I might be doing things in order to prove to my own self that I am living for God. I could be leaning to my own understanding of what He wants, being my own dictator! making myself my judge!!
Peter is clear that each of us children of God can minister God's grace to each other > 1 Peter 4:9-10. So, I would think there have to be works which are done in order to minister God's grace. These would be what God in us has us doing, and I believe that whatever God does is essential, however it is essential > how His love effects our nature is essential > 1 John 4:17. And, again, by grace I mean God in us acting to effect our character while having us do the works. Plus, the power of His love in and through our obedient works is spreading to also effect others. We are cups running over with whatsoever is really in our cups, to help to make others the same way!
So, how we are becoming is very important, along with what we are doing. Because how we are spiritually can be spreading to make others the same way . . . deeper than the show of sacraments or our gestures of love.
"Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain." (Philippians 2:14-16)
