Francis. How did you decide that part of the New Testament is "Christian", and other parts are not? What parts of God's inspired Word are authoritative...and what parts are just suggestions?
re: works
We do not do good works in order to be saved (Isaiah 64:6, Romans 3:28), but because we are saved (faith in action - Matthew 5:16, John 15:16, James 2:22, 1 Thessalonians 1:3); and because we will one day answer to our Lord and Savior for our actions (Matthew 16:27, 1 Corinthians 3:13 & 4:5, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Romans 14:10, Hebrews 4:13).
Because God the Father determines the outcome (Philippians 2:13), our concern is to glorify Him in the process (Colossians 3:17 "Do it in the name of Jesus" and v. 23 "Work with all your heart, as working for the Lord...").
James 1:22, 2:18b
Do not merely listen to the word...do what it says.
Show (your) faith by what (you) do.
John Calvin's
Institutes, Book III on James 2
Those who by true faith are righteous prove their righteousness by obedience and good works, not by a bare and imaginary mask of faith. An empty show of faith does not justify, and a believer, not content with such an image, declares his righteousness by his good works.
and BTW I know many Jews and atheists who are much more kind, gracious and giving than LOTS of those who believe themselves to be Christians.
