As I said before, Paul is fighting against "Circumcision Salvationism."
For Paul says in
Romans 3:1, “What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?”
Paul says in Galatians 5:2 that if you seek to be circumcised Christ will profit you nothing. Why would he say that? It's because they believed circumcision was necessary for salvation (Which was the problem addressed at the Jerusalem counsel; Again, see: Acts of the Apostles 15:1, Acts of the Apostles 15:5, Acts of the Apostles 15:24).
Romans 4:1-8 is in reference to how Abraham was saved first by God's grace and not by Works Alone because of the problem of those who thought they needed to be circumcised in order to be saved. A believer needs to first trust in God's grace (Jesus) for salvation and not circumcision. Nobody can be saved by circumcision under the New Covenant. Jesus saves. But accepting Jesus and abiding in Him is not a license for immorality on some level. For the purpose or reason Christ died for us was so as to make us holy, blameless (Ephesians 5:25-27), and zealous of good works (Titus 2:14).
We also hear this about Abraham, too.
"And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform." (Romans 4:21).
"Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?" (James 2:21).
So Abraham was justified by faith without works by trusting God in his walk, and Abraham was also justified by works in offering Isaac his son upon the altar.
You need both God's grace and works to be saved.
The point Paul is trying to make is that we are not saved by "Law Alone" or "Works Alone" (that does not include God's grace or a belief that nullifies the grace of God - like the false belief known as: "Circumcision Salvationism."). It is why Paul talked the way that he did.
Right. Abraham was the topic of discussion involving how we do not need to be circumcised in Romans 4:9-12. This fact does not help your belief in any way but it actually destroys it. Most in your camp do not want to see that Paul was fighting against "Circumcision Salvationism" (Which was a topic of discussion at the Jerusalem counsel).
I am not arguing against how faith must come first with works then following.
I believe we are saved by faith first and faith is the foundation of our salvation.
Works then flow out of this faith thereby showing that one's faith is true.
A believer cannot be devoid of works as a part of their faith than for rain to not be wet. Faith and works go hand in hand. You cannot have one without the other eventually. If not, then one's faith is dead.
As for the spiritual transformation:
While believers are born again spiritually, their free will is not overwritten by God. Believers can still sin and or turn back to their old way of life and be unsaved again. Also, nothing is said about the spiritual transformation in Romans 4:1-8, Romans 11:5-6, and Ephesians 2:8-9.
As for Titus 3:4-7:
It is true that a believer is saved by receiving a new heart with new desires by the Holy Ghost, and they are saved by the continuing work of the Spirit in their lives, but we do have to cooperate with the Spirit in our lives. Ananias and Sapphira had lied to the Holy Ghost and they were instantly judged or killed for their sin. A great fear came upon the church and all who heard about it. This means, they lost their salvation and died (abiding in spiritual death) because no believer is going to have an emotion of fear over saved believers.
Romans 4:1-8, Romans 11:5-6, Ephesians 2:8-9, and Titus 3:4-7 are all talking about how we are not saved by "Law Alone" or by "Works Alone" (that did not include God's saving grace). The book of Romans, Galatians, and 1 Corinthians talk about how Paul was fighting against "Circumcision Salvationism."
Show me your faith without works and I will show you my faith by my works (James 2:18). James 2:17 says faith without works is dead. Again, you do not understand. Paul was fighting against "Works Alone Salvationism" and James was fighting against "Belief Alone Salvationism."
"Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." (James 2:24).
Jesus says if you will enter into life, keep the commandments (Matthew 19:17).
So it is not just a belief alone that saves. One needs works and holiness as a part of one's faith for it to be true.
Sanctification of the Spirit (holy living) and belief of the truth is a part of the call of the gospel.
13 “...
God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
14
Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14).
This ties in nicely with:
23 “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).
Tying in with 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, God is able to keep us from stumbling.
“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,” (Jude 1:24) (ESV) (KJV says “falling” instead of stumbling. But it means the same thing). The context is to keep you blameless (i.e. faultless - KJV).
God is able to make us stand:
“Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.” (Romans 14:4).
Why does God not make some people to not stand? It’s because they are not answering His call. See Zechariah 7:14. 1 John 3:22 says, “And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.” We are called by Jesus Christ to obedience to the faith (See Romans 1:5-6).
28 “Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;
They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me.
29 Because they hated knowledge
And did not choose the fear of the Lord,
30 They would have none of my counsel
And despised my every rebuke.” (Proverbs 1:28-30) (NKJV).
While perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18), this is only if we perfect love by keeping His Word (See 1 John 2:5-6). The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom (Proverbs 1:7) (Proverbs 9:10). The fear of the Lord leads us into the love of God and it helps us to perfect our love. We are told to fear Jesus who has the power to throw our body in Gehenna (i.e. the Lake of Fire).
"And you should not be afraid of those killing the body but not being able to kill the soul. Indeed rather you should fear the
One being able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna." (Matthew 10:28) (BLB).
For why should we fear the Lord?
"Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil." (Proverbs 3:7).
So you believe works play a part in the salvation process?
I don't get that impression.
I am not sure how Isaiah 26:10 helps support your belief.
It says the wicked will keep doing wicked despite us doing good towards them.
Granted, this does not mean all people who are wicked can not be effected by what we do and they would then repent. The wicked in context here are those who are really hardened against God in this life (Who will not repent).
Do not deceive yourself into thinking future sin is forgiven you.
It is not.
1 John 1:9, 1 John 1:7, Proverbs 28:13, Matthew 12:41 cf. Jonah 3:6-10.
The woman who cried at Jesus's feet was forgiven of her past sins.
When you read 1 John 4:19:
You also have to read 1 John 4:8 that says: "He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love." (1 John 4:8).
As for Romans 5:5 in reference to how you are given the Holy Ghost:
Well, Acts of the Apostles 5:32 says, "And we are his witnesses of these things; and
so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him."
So the Holy Ghost is given to them that obey him.
Grace is not a mere paying of lip service or thinking we can turn God's grace into a license for immorality. While we do need to repent and seek forgiveness with the Lord, this should not be the constant state of the believer. A believer should be walking uprightly after they are forgiven of their sins. If no obedience is stressed then one can think you are turning God's grace into a license for immorality.
Jesus says, "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46).
