Are there Catholics and Orthodox that are practicing and saved?

HP: Excellent point.

HP: Works, including faith, trust, or belief, in their most primitive stages all start with the formation of intents. The will is involved in faith as well as in any work. If one is not forming intents consistent with good works I for one would believe Scripture clearly denotes the faith they might think they have as 'dead.' What is this about ‘addicted’ to good works?? Would that be something similar to being 'zealous' of good works?
Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Strange as it may seem to you, that sure sounds like a good thing to me. Would to God more professing Christians would be ‘addicted’ or ‘zealous’ to do good works.

If works are not a part of your relationship with God, does not Scripture say that your faith is in vain, “dead” as a matter of fact, being alone? Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Jas 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Jas 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

 

DHK, I find myself once again agreeing with the content of your post, but despising your tone. Your response that it is "an obvious twisting of the scripture" is violent in it's hatred and I find it useful for nothing but insult. If it were obvious, then he - along with everyone else - would see it the way you do. Clearly, it is not obvious, so instead of trying to shame him for not sharing your point of view, perhaps it would be more useful to lay out your case from the scripture.

DHK, you are entirely too contentious. You incite. Your words fall to the floor without meaning because of your contention. Your authority is moot because of your lack of love.

1Cr 11:16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.

Pro 26:21 [As] coals [are] to burning coals, and wood to fire; so [is] a contentious man to kindle strife.

1Cr 13:2 And though I have [the gift of] prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
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Yet all of your knowledge and wisdom counts as nothing because you don't have love.

Mat 21:16 And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

Act 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

 

I disagree. I think DHK presented it consistently with it's context.

Jhn 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

It seems like Jesus relates keeping commandments directly to personal relationship.

Rom 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law [is] the knowledge of sin.
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
22 Even the righteousness of God [which is] by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

 

Was it a twisting of Scripture? Yes.
Why is it violent and hatred to point out truth. That in itself is a personal attack which is against the BB rules. Who gives you the right to read into a person's heart? You have that God-given ability? Where from?
Look at the inconsistency of your own post right here.

"I find my self agreeing with you."
Then you attack me, first by quoting me, Your response ...is " an obvious twisting of the Scripture."
1. Now remember, you have just said that you have agreed with me.
2. But now you say, "Clearly it is not so obvious."
3. So in contradiction of yourself you don't agree with me. You say what was formerly obvious is now not obvious.

To point out truth is not hatred, my friend.
To point out error is not hatred either.
Perhaps you should check your own heart.

More personal insult; more looking where you cannot see.

Romans 14:10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

 

This thread is well past the 30 page mark and needs to be closed.
If you desire to start a new one please feel free to do so.