"Works Salvation"

[mikepec]

James is not using the word "justified" in James 2:24 to mean "accounted as righteous" but is shown to be righteous. James is discussing the evidence of faith (says-claims to have faith but has no works/I will show you my faith by my works - James 2:14-18) and not the initial act of being accounted as righteous with God. (Romans 4:2-3) Works bear out the justification that already came by faith.

In the Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, the Greek word for justified "dikaioo" #1344 is:

1. to render righteous or such he ought to be
2. to show, exhibit, evince, one to be righteous, such as he is and wishes himself to be considered - *fits the context.
3. to declare, pronounce, one to be just, righteous, or such as he ought to be

In Matthew 12:37, we read - "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." This is because our words (and our works) reveal the condition of our hearts. Words/works are evidence for, or against a man being in a state of righteousness.

God is said to have been justified by those who were baptized by John the Baptist (Luke 7:29). This act pronounced or declared God to be righteous. It did not make him righteous. The basis or ground for the pronouncement was the fact that God IS righteous. Notice that the NIV reads, “acknowledged that God's way was right.." The ESV reads, “they declared God just.” This is the "sense" in which God was “justified.” He was shown to be righteous.

Matthew 11:19 "The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax-gatherers and sinners!' Yet wisdom is justified/vindicated/shown to be right by her deeds."

It is through faith "in Jesus 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 2:14-24) *Perfect Harmony*

I often hear works-salvationists cite John 3:36 in the NASB and "stress" the word "obey" to imply that we are saved "by" obedience/works and end up conflating believing with obedience/works which "follow" believing. In regard to "does not obey the Son" in the New American Standard translation of the Bible, this does not mean that receiving eternal life is received based on the merits of our obedience/works which "follow" believing in the Son but obey by choosing to believe in the Son.

If John wanted to make obedience the central theme in salvation here, he would have said: "He who believes and obeys the Son has eternal life," but that is not what John said. To obey the Son here is to choose to believe in the Son.

The King James Version renders this same verse as: He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that "believeth not the Son" shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. The NIV says "rejects the Son" and the HCSB says, "refuses to believe in the Son." To refuse to believe in the Son is to disobey, rebel, be disloyal and refuse conformity. Strong’s definition of apeitheo is "to disbelieve willfully and perversely." *In the context of 3:36, to "not obey the Son" means to reject the Son by refusing to believe in the Son.

And yet you fail to even comment on the essence.
Jesus asks us to do and not do many things which are necessary for eternal life. Sheep and Goats. Eucharist.

But Your logic is faulty.

In logic "necessary" is not the same as "sufficient "
eg to pass a car driving test, you have to show up for the test. (necessary not sufficient)
eg to get a job you have to fill out the form and come for the interview. (necessary not sufficient)

Showing up or filling out forms (necessary) is not sufficient which is solely in the gift of the interviewer or tester. By their grace if you like.
Would you dare complain to an employer that you did not get the job because your logic tells you "it was the interview that gets the job" so you dont need obedience and so you do not have to fill out the form?

Try it ..see what happens.

Just as salvation is by grace through faith.
The works you are demanded to do , do not save.
You are yet another who falsely claims that any have salvation by works. We do not.

We just try to do what the bible tells us to do.
What little we can offer is obedience.
You are not an automaton. "believing" does not make you a robot that obeys. Every day you have free will.

Nothing we do is enough to save, indeed the works are a merit of God not us, so none are sufficient to save, therefore it is not salvation by works.

My suggestion is you do not take your above sophistry to Lord at the judgement..
"but Lord, you got it all wrong...Lord, you dont understand scripture.... all I need is faith, I do not need to obey you..."
See what happens...

The problem is your PERSONAL definition of faith. Formed faith is not just intellectual assent. Even the devil believes Jesus is Lord
Faith involves obedience. Every day you are challenged to do what our Lord asks you to do and not do... Have you?

My suggestion is you listen to those APPOINTED by Jesus and SENT to teach. Not to "lean your own understanding"
To the church that has the power to decide disputes.
It has. It can tell you what the true interpretation of scripture is. Not your own.

 

[mailmandan]

And yet you fail to even comment on the essence.
Jesus asks us to do and not do many things which are necessary for eternal life. Sheep and Goats. Eucharist.

But Your logic is faulty.

In logic "necessary" is not the same as "sufficient "
eg to pass a car driving test, you have to show up for the test. (necessary not sufficient)
eg to get a job you have to fill out the form and come for the interview. (necessary not sufficient)

Showing up or filling out forms (necessary) is not sufficient which is solely in the gift of the interviewer or tester. By their grace if you like.
Would you dare complain to an employer that you did not get the job because your logic tells you "it was the interview that gets the job" so you dont need obedience and so you do not have to fill out the form?

Try it ..see what happens.

Just as salvation is by grace through faith.
The works you are demanded to do , do not save.
You are yet another who falsely claims that any have salvation by works. We do not.

We just try to do what the bible tells us to do.
What little we can offer is obedience.
You are not an automaton. "believing" does not make you a robot that obeys. Every day you have free will.

Nothing we do is enough to save, indeed the works are a merit of God not us, so none are sufficient to save, therefore it is not salvation by works.

My suggestion is you do not take your above sophistry to Lord at the judgement..
"but Lord, you got it all wrong...Lord, you dont understand scripture.... all I need is faith, I do not need to obey you..."
See what happens...

The problem is your PERSONAL definition of faith. Formed faith is not just intellectual assent. Even the devil believes Jesus is Lord
Faith involves obedience. Every day you are challenged to do what our Lord asks you to do and not do... Have you?

My suggestion is you listen to those APPOINTED by Jesus and SENT to teach. Not to "lean your own understanding"
To the church that has the power to decide disputes.
It has. It can tell you what the true interpretation of scripture is. Not your own.

Christ's finished work of redemption is sufficient and complete to save believers. (Romans 3:24-28) No supplements needed. I never said that faith was mere "intellectual assent." That is a straw man argument. In James 2:19, we read the demons believe "mental assent" that "there is one God," but they do not believe in/have faith in/trust in/reliance in Jesus Christ for salvation. In other words, they do not believe in/on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31) and are not saved. Big difference! Their trust and reliance are in Satan as demonstrated by their rebellion in heaven and continuous evil works.

It's one thing to believe that the death, burial and resurrection of Christ "happened." Even the devils believe that, which is mere "intellectual assent" (simply believing in our head). Yet it's another thing to trust in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ as the ALL-sufficient means of our salvation. (Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4) That is what it means to believe in our heart. (Romans 10:8-10)

The Greek words for "pistis" and "pisteuo" are two forms of the same word. "Pistis" is the noun form and "pisteuo" is the verb form. Nothing in the root meaning of either word carries any concept of works. If you believe in/have faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, then you are trusting in Him alone to save you. This belief results in obedience appropriate to the faith/belief (to one degree or the other/all genuine believers are fruitful, yet not all are equally fruitful - Matthew 13:23) - but the actions are NOT INHERENT in the faith/belief. Obedience which "follows" saving faith/belief in Christ is "works." Apparently, you try to "shoehorn" obedience/works "into" salvation through faith, not works (Ephesians 2:8,9) just as ALL who erroneously teach salvation by faith AND works do. (Romans 4:5-6; 11:6)

 

[Doug Brents]

Christ's finished work of redemption is sufficient and complete to save believers. (Romans 3:24-28) No supplements needed. I never said that faith was mere "intellectual assent." That is a straw man argument. In James 2:19, we read the demons believe "mental assent" that "there is one God," but they do not believe in/have faith in/trust in/reliance in Jesus Christ for salvation. In other words, they do not believe in/on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31) and are not saved. Big difference! Their trust and reliance are in Satan as demonstrated by their rebellion in heaven and continuous evil works.

It's one thing to believe that the death, burial and resurrection of Christ "happened." Even the devils believe that, which is mere "intellectual assent" (simply believing in our head). Yet it's another thing to trust in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ as the ALL-sufficient means of our salvation. (Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4) That is what it means to believe in our heart. (Romans 10:8-10)

The Greek words for "pistis" and "pisteuo" are two forms of the same word. "Pistis" is the noun form and "pisteuo" is the verb form. Nothing in the root meaning of either word carries any concept of works. If you believe in/have faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, then you are trusting in Him alone to save you. This belief results in obedience appropriate to the faith/belief (to one degree or the other/all genuine believers are fruitful, yet not all are equally fruitful - Matthew 13:23) - but the actions are NOT INHERENT in the faith/belief. Obedience which "follows" saving faith/belief in Christ is "works." Apparently, you try to "shoehorn" obedience/works "into" salvation through faith, not works (Ephesians 2:8,9) just as ALL who erroneously teach salvation by faith AND works do. (Romans 4:5-6; 11:6)

This is very well written, and accurate for the most part.
But let me ask you a quick question:
In Rom 10:9-10, is the physical act of confession with the mouth of Jesus as Lord, does it follow after/flow out of having received salvation? Or does it lead to/result in receiving salvation.

 

[mailmandan]

This is very well written, and accurate for the most part.
But let me ask you a quick question:
In Rom 10:9-10, is the physical act of confession with the mouth of Jesus as Lord, does it follow after/flow out of having received salvation? Or does it lead to/result in receiving salvation.

Confessing with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believing in our heart that God raised Him from the dead are not two separate steps to salvation but are chronologically together.

Romans 10:8 - But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (TOGETHER) that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, (notice the reverse order from verse 9-10) - that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart one believes unto righteousness,  and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Confess/believe; believe/confess.

 

[Doug Brents]

Confessing with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believing in our heart that God raised Him from the dead are not two separate steps to salvation but are chronologically together.

Romans 10:8 - But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (TOGETHER) that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, (notice the reverse order from verse 9-10) - that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart one believes unto righteousness,  and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Confess/believe; believe/confess.

I didn't ask if they were two different steps. Of course they are not two different steps; they should and do occur at the same time. The order is irrelevant. But the timing is very significant.

My question was, does confession in Rom 10:8-10 flow out of having been saved? Or does it lead to receiving salvation? It has to be one or the other, which one does Scripture say is correct?

 

[mailmandan]

Believing with the heart is "unto righteousness" and confession with the mouth is "unto salvation." Even if someone is "mute" and cannot speak, the word of faith is still in their heart and mouth.

1 Corinthians 12:3 - Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except BY the Holy Spirit. There is divine influence or direct operation of the Holy Spirit in the heart of a person when confessing Jesus as Lord.

This confession is not just a simple acknowledgment that Jesus is the Lord (even the demons believe that), but is a deep personal conviction that Jesus is that person's Lord and Savior.

 

[Doug Brents]

Believing with the heart is "unto righteousness" and confession with the mouth is "unto salvation." Even if someone is "moot" and cannot speak, the word of faith is still in their heart and mouth.

1 Corinthians 12:3 - Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except BY the Holy Spirit. There is divine influence or direct operation of the Holy Spirit in the heart of a person when confessing Jesus as Lord.

This confession is not just a simple acknowledgment that Jesus is the Lord (even the demons believe that), but is a deep personal conviction that Jesus is that person's Lord and Savior.

This is true (although I think the word you are looking for is MUTE, not MOOT). But you just proved my point. Belief and confession are both "unto salvation"; resulting in salvation, not flowing out of having already received salvation. Belief and confession both are required to occur BEFORE salvation is received. The PHYSICAL ACT of confession with the mouth results in receiving salvation. Faith is not just a "deep personal conviction", but a conviction that produces action. If it does not produce action, then it is not real and alive. And if it is not real and alive, then it does not result in salvation.

 

[mailmandan]

This is true (although I think the word you are looking for is MUTE, not MOOT). But you just proved my point. Belief and confession are both "unto salvation"; resulting in salvation, not flowing out of having already received salvation. Belief and confession both are required to occur BEFORE salvation is received. The PHYSICAL ACT of confession with the mouth results in receiving salvation. Faith is not just a "deep personal conviction", but a conviction that produces action. If it does not produce action, then it is not real and alive. And if it is not real and alive, then it does not result in salvation.

Unto certainly does not mean flowing out of. Confession is an expression of faith and not a work for salvation. Paul is not talking about believing unto righteousness today (but are still lost) until next week after confession with the mouth (then finally saved). Authentic faith is alive in Christ and results in action. (Ephesians 2:5-10)

 

[mailmandan]

SImply believing in our head (and not in our heart) that God raised Him from the dead does not result in righteousness and simply giving "lip service" to the words "Jesus is Lord" not by the Holy Spirit is not unto salvation.

 

[Doug Brents]

Unto certainly does not mean flowing out of. Confession is an expression of faith and not a work for salvation. Paul is not talking about believing unto righteousness today (but are still lost) until next week after confession with the mouth (then finally saved). Authentic faith is alive in Christ and results in action. (Ephesians 2:5-10)

Dan, I didn't say they happened at different times, and I never have. I said that both belief and confession LEAD TO receiving salvation. That means that both of the happen, MUST HAPPEN, before salvation is received. Authentic faith along with the action it produces must be present before salvation is received, because as Eph 2:8-9 says, faith is the conduit through which salvation is received. If there is no action, then the conduit is full of holes (dead and worthless) and does not bring salvation from God to us.

 

[mailmandan]

Dan, I didn't say they happened at different times, and I never have. I said that both belief and confession LEAD TO receiving salvation. That means that both of the happen, MUST HAPPEN, before salvation is received. Authentic faith along with the action it produces must be present before salvation is received, because as Eph 2:8-9 says, faith is the conduit through which salvation is received. If there is no action, then the conduit is full of holes (dead and worthless) and does not bring salvation from God to us.

If the word of faith is in our heart and mouth then both belief and confession will happen. We are saved by grace through faith, not works. (Ephesians 2:8,9) Again, confession is an expression of faith and not a work for salvation. (Romans 10:8-10) What other actions do you "add" to salvation through faith, not works?

 

[Doug Brents]

If the word of faith is in our heart and mouth then both belief and confession will happen. We are saved by grace through faith, not works. (Ephesians 2:8,9) Again, confession is an expression of faith and not a work for salvation. (Romans 10:8-10) What other actions do you "add" to salvation through faith, not works?

The "word of faith" is the Gospel, and it produces salvation through belief and obedience to the Gospel. "But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching," Rom 10:8.

Yes, we are saved by grace, because Christ gave the gift of His own life without the incentive of our actions or motivation of our love, but only because of His own love for us. But to receive that gift, we must obey the Gospel (2 Thes 1:8). That means that the Gospel is not just something we believe, but also something we must do. If we do not have a living, active faith first then we do not receive the salvation that Christ has already paid for and given to the world.

 

[mailmandan]

The "word of faith" is the Gospel, and it produces salvation through belief and obedience to the Gospel. "But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching," Rom 10:8.

Yes, we are saved by grace, because Christ gave the gift of His own life without the incentive of our actions or motivation of our love, but only because of His own love for us. But to receive that gift, we must obey the Gospel (2 Thes 1:8). That means that the Gospel is not just something we believe, but also something we must do. If we do not have a living, active faith first then we do not receive the salvation that Christ has already paid for and given to the world.

Romans 10:16 - But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?”

We obey the gospel by choosing to believe the gospel. (Romans 1:16)

 

[Doug Brents]

Romans 10:16 - But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?”

We obey the gospel by choosing to believe the gospel. (Romans 1:16)

Partially, yes, but just "believing" is not faith. Obedience to the Gospel is also in doing the actions that are said to lead to receiving salvation, one example of which is confession of Jesus as Lord in Rom 10:9-10. Believe here is the Greek "pistis", meaning faith. And going back to the story of the person in the airplane with the passed out pilot listening to the tower on the radio, if the person doesn't do what the tower operator says, then they die. They can believe what he says all the way to the ground, but if they don't do what he says, they die. But if they do what he says (in other words, if they have faith) then they will live.

 

[mailmandan]

Partially, yes, but just "believing" is not faith. Obedience to the Gospel is also in doing the actions that are said to lead to receiving salvation, one example of which is confession of Jesus as Lord in Rom 10:9-10. Believe here is the Greek "pistis", meaning faith. And going back to the story of the person in the airplane with the passed out pilot listening to the tower on the radio, if the person doesn't do what the tower operator says, then they die. They can believe what he says all the way to the ground, but if they don't do what he says, they die. But if they do what he says (in other words, if they have faith) then they will live.

Your argument about believing and faith along with your misunderstanding of Romans 10:8-10 culminates in salvation by faith and works.

 

[Doug Brents]

Your argument about believing and faith along with your misunderstanding of Romans 10:8-10 culminates in salvation by faith and works.

And your argument presumes that there is no physical action that leads to the reception of salvation. That argument is proven false by the direct statement in Rom 10:8-10, that belief and confession result in salvation (which you agreed with in post 988). So I am not misunderstanding Rom 10:8-10; I am taking Scripture for what it says, and using Scripture to help properly understand other Scripture. Eph 2:3-9 does not, and cannot, mean that there is no physical action that leads to receiving salvation, because Rom 10:8-10 says directly that there is a physical action that results in salvation.

 

[mailmandan]

And your argument presumes that there is no physical action that leads to the reception of salvation. That argument is proven false by the direct statement in Rom 10:8-10, that belief and confession result in salvation (which you agreed with in post 988). So I am not misunderstanding Rom 10:8-10; I am taking Scripture for what it says, and using Scripture to help properly understand other Scripture. Eph 2:3-9 does not, and cannot, mean that there is no physical action that leads to receiving salvation, because Rom 10:8-10 says directly that there is a physical action that results in salvation.

The key to understanding Romans 10:9,10 is verse 8 - But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” TOGETHER (that is, the word of faith which we preach). You seem to misinterpret Romans 10:9-10 in such a way that means we can believe unto righteousness today, but are still lost until we confess Christ, which may be next week and then we are finally saved next week, but that is not what Paul is talking about here and again, someone who is mute (unable to speak) would remain lost according to that erroneous interpretation of Romans 10:9,10 for failing to "verbally confess with their mouth."

I've noticed in other posts that you teach water baptism is necessary for salvation and in your 4 step CoC plan of salvation, confession precedes water baptism. So how can confession be made "unto salvation" if we must be water baptized "afterwards" in order to be saved?

It's not about salvation by faith + physical action/works that save us. Ephesians 2:8,9 is crystal clear, but you seem determined to turn confession into a work for salvation (when it is an expression of faith) and trust in physical action/works for salvation "in addition" to trusting in Jesus Christ for salvation. Our faith needs to trust 100% in Jesus Christ alone for salvation in order for faith to save us. (Romans 4:5-6; Ephesians 2:8,9) The object of our faith is absolutely critical.

 

[mailmandan]

The Bible clearly states in many passages of scripture that we are saved through belief/faith "apart from additions or modifications." (Luke 7:50; 8:12; John 1:12; 3:15,16,18,36; 6:40,47; 11:25,26; Acts 10:43; 11:17; 13:39; 15:7-9; 16:31; 26:18; Romans 1:16; 3:24-28; 4:5-6; 5:1; 10:4; 1 Corinthians 1:21; Galatians 2:16; 3:6-9, 26; Ephesians 2:8; Philippians 3:9; 2 Timothy 3:15; Hebrews 10:39; 1 John 5:13 etc..). Turning confession and baptism into a work for salvation after belief/faith negates all of these passages of scripture.

Now 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. Hence, FAITH ALONE. 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.

Not to be confused with an empty profession of faith/dead faith that remains "alone" - barren of works. (James 2:14-24)

 

[Doug Brents]

The key to understanding Romans 10:9,10 is verse 8 - But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” TOGETHER (that is, the word of faith which we preach). You seem to misinterpret Romans 10:9-10 in such a way that means we can believe unto righteousness today, but are still lost until we confess Christ,

No, that is not what I am saying at all. This is your hangup, not mine. I have never said anything about believing today and confessing in a month or two. Quit projecting your misconception on me. Belief and Confession of Jesus should come at the same time.

which may be next week and then we are finally saved next week, but that is not what Paul is talking about here and again, someone who is mute (unable to speak) would remain lost according to that erroneous interpretation of Romans 10:9,10 for failing to "verbally confess with their mouth."

Again, No. The point of a verbal, public, confession is that it is exactly that; public. It is not something done only in the heart, but is visible to the Church and also to non-believers. The mute have for their hands for a "mouth" (their primary communication devise). It is through sign language that they communicate, and so their "mouth" is their hands, and the words they speak are their signs.

I've noticed in other posts that you teach water baptism is necessary for salvation and in your 4 step CoC plan of salvation, confession precedes water baptism. So how can confession be made "unto salvation" if we must be water baptized "afterwards" in order to be saved?

Because confession is unto, not into. Confession brings one toward salvation, but according to Matt 28:19, Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, Rom 6:1-4, Col 2:11-14 and others, salvation occurs during water baptism, because that is where our sins are cut from us, we are made righteous, our dead soul is resurrected with Jesus, and we are united to Christ and to the Church.

It's not about salvation by faith + physical action/works that save us. Ephesians 2:8,9 is crystal clear, but you seem determined to turn confession into a work for salvation (when it is an expression of faith) and trust in physical action/works for salvation "in addition" to trusting in Jesus Christ for salvation. Our faith needs to trust 100% in Jesus Christ alone for salvation in order for faith to save us. (Romans 4:5-6; Ephesians 2:8,9) The object of our faith is absolutely critical.

Absolutely it is our faith in Jesus, His life, death, and resurrection that leads to our receiving salvation. But as James says, faith is not a passive, inactive, internal only thing. Faith must be active to be alive, and it must be alive to be real and effective. Faith/trust requires that we put our belief into action. Listen to the 8 minute audio at the link below. This is what faith is. God is in the tower, and He can see us, even though we cannot see Him or our surroundings. He can direct us to pilot our plane to a safe landing, but only if we do what He tells us.

If we don't follow His directions, then we crash and burn. But if we do obey Him, then we will land safely and get to meet Him in person.

 

[mailmandan]

No, that is not what I am saying at all. This is your hangup, not mine. I have never said anything about believing today and confessing in a month or two. Quit projecting your misconception on me. Belief and Confession of Jesus should come at the same time.

Again, No. The point of a verbal, public, confession is that it is exactly that; public. It is not something done only in the heart, but is visible to the Church and also to non-believers. The mute have for their hands for a "mouth" (their primary communication devise). It is through sign language that they communicate, and so their "mouth" is their hands, and the words they speak are their signs.

Because confession is unto, not into. Confession brings one toward salvation, but according to Matt 28:19, Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, Rom 6:1-4, Col 2:11-14 and others, salvation occurs during water baptism, because that is where our sins are cut from us, we are made righteous, our dead soul is resurrected with Jesus, and we are united to Christ and to the Church.

Absolutely it is our faith in Jesus, His life, death, and resurrection that leads to our receiving salvation. But as James says, faith is not a passive, inactive, internal only thing. Faith must be active to be alive, and it must be alive to be real and effective. Faith/trust requires that we put our belief into action. Listen to the 8 minute audio at the link below. This is what faith is. God is in the tower, and He can see us, even though we cannot see Him or our surroundings. He can direct us to pilot our plane to a safe landing, but only if we do what He tells us.

If we don't follow His directions, then we crash and burn. But if we do obey Him, then we will land safely and get to meet Him in person.

So "unto" salvation according to you means toward salvation but not saved yet? Your 4 step plan of salvation seems to be the result of bad semantics and flawed hermeneutics. Conflating faith and works which results in salvation by faith AND works remains your Achilles heel.