The shock of this statement by Calvinist leaning Christians shouting Sola Fide! gives way to a scolding finger wag and head shake once the literary trickery is revealed. I assert we are most certainly saved by works, just not by our works. It is the works of the Savior, Jesus Christ, who paid the price for all of mankind, and in fact paid for all the universe’s sins, past, present, and future. So, it is true we are saved by works?
Conclusion; True! Our works (or good deeds) do not save us from being convicted of falling short of God’s glory, but are a part of our sanctification process demonstrating that we are responding to faith with works, as stated in Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” We are to actively demonstrate our gifts of the Holy Spirit through our fruit and our deeds. Just remember, “it is with the help of the Holy Spirit you are buffing your rough gem so as to be a better reflection of the Son, not polishing it in hopes of using it as payment for entrance into heaven.” (Soon to be famous saying attributed to F. Napoleon circa 2023)
This quip in Napoleons short essay on “works saving us from hell “ is perfect ; beats anything synthetic from AI ChatGTP and above all is memorable : “it is with the help of the Holy Spirit you are buffing your rough gem so as to be a better reflection of the Son, not polishing it in hopes of using it as payment for entrance into heaven.”