Are we Saved by “Faith Alone” or “Faith and Good Works”?

[SIA]

Just a simple point to consider. The new testament writings were in possession of the “early church”. This “early church” was called the “Catholic Church” as early as 110 AD.

Jesus promised us that **HE will build **his church. (Matthew 16:18) So it’s obvious that he will not allow error to creep into the doctrines of his church.

Now, all of a sudden (for Protestants, not for us), we see that the Catholic Church is in possesion of the new testament writings! What happened to Christ’s church then? Did he fail to build it? Did it disappear? No! It didn’t. The Catholic Church is indeed his church!

I’m sorry but this is no way proof that the RCC is in fact the Early Church. Using your logic, why then couldn’t the Eastern Orthodox churches say that they are actually the Church that Christ founded?

 

[Gabriel_of_12]

I’m sorry but this is no way proof that the RCC is in fact the Early Church. Using your logic, why then couldn’t the Eastern Orthodox churches say that they are actually the Church that Christ founded?

The proof is in the unbroken succession of the Popes since Peter, the proof is in the Catholic church councils throughout the first century’s that exhibit a Pope existing since Jesus instituted the Church on Peter. The proof is not in the west or eastern church, for the first 1100 years there was only one Catholic church, with the Pope (chair of Peter) in Rome and we have both eastern and western Saints both acknowldging the authority of the Roman Catholic Pope and the Catholic councils, for the first 1100 years.

The Eastern “Orthodox” Catholic church does have apostolic succesion, No one denies this; The Roman Catholic church has the chair of Peter and the keys of authority (binding and loosing) on earth, to which Jesus does the same binding and loosing in heaven. The Eastern Catholic church adapted the term “Orthodox” not till the eleventh century. The key to understanding the East and West, is that both believe and hold to the same sacred Oral Traditions and teachings of the original Apostles. There is only One Body, One faith, One baptism, One Lord, One Holy Cathoilc apostolic church.

Peace

 

[iaskquestions]

I’m sorry but this is no way proof that the RCC is in fact the Early Church. Using your logic, why then couldn’t the Eastern Orthodox churches say that they are actually the Church that Christ founded?

Do they have the pope?

Again, a quote from the “early church” fathers.

“The Lord says to Peter: ‘I say to you,’ he says, ‘that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church.’ . . . On him [Peter] he builds the Church, and to him he gives the command to feed the sheep [John 21:17], and although he assigns a like power to all the apostles, yet he founded a single chair [cathedra], and he established by his own authority a source and an intrinsic reason for that unity. Indeed, the others were that also which Peter was , but a primacy is given to Peter, whereby it is made clear that there is but one Church and one chair. So too, all [the apostles] are shepherds, and the flock is shown to be one, fed by all the apostles in single-minded accord. If someone does not hold fast to this unity of Peter, can he imagine that he still holds the faith? If he [should] desert the chair of Peter upon whom the Church was built, can he still be confident that he is in the Church?” (The Unity of the Catholic Church 4; 1st edition [A.D. 251]).

 

[Jimmy_B]

Are we Saved by “Faith Alone” or “Faith and Good Works”?

Simply put; “good works” means, doing those things that are pleasing to God.

What Christian is apposed to doing those things that are pleasing to God?

So, what is the opposite of “good works”?

The opposite of “good works” would be, doing those things that are not pleasing to God or failing to do what is pleasing to God.
_____________________________

If you believe that we are not judged by our “good works”, then please answer these 5 questions:

**1. **If “good works”, physical acts (doing those things that are pleasing to God) are not necessary for our Salvation, Then why do “Born Again” Christians recite the “Born Again” prayer? Isn’t reciting the “sinners” prayer, a physical act or an act of “good works”? Isn’t this act performed prior to one receiving “God’s grace”?

Reciting the “Born Again” prayer would definitely be, “good works”.

2. If “good works” (doing those things that are pleasing to God) are not necessary for our Salvation, then why do we baptize and why are we Baptized? Isn’t Baptism a physical act or an act of “good works”?

The act of Baptism is definitely an act of “good works”.

3. If “good works” (doing those things that are pleasing to God) are not necessary for our Salvation, then why do non-Catholic, Christians even bother with funeral ceremonies? Why do Christian Pastors read or recite prayers at funerals? Isn’t a funeral ceremony a physical act or an act of “good works”?

Funeral ceremonies are definitely an act of “good works”.

4. If “good works” (doing those things that are pleasing to God) are not necessary for our Salvation, then why do non-Catholic, Christians even bother with “wedding ceremonies” (Holy Matrimony), isn’t a wedding ceremony an act of “good works”?

Wedding ceremonies are definitely an act of “good works”.

5. If “good works” (doing those things which are pleasing to God) are not necessary for our Salvation, because our Salvation is “guaranteed”, then why is it necessary for us to pray, read the Bible, go to Church on the Sabbath, avoid sin, forgive, love and asked to be forgiven?

Aren’t all these, all acts of “good works””?
_____________________________

Please let me know if you disagree with my comments, thank you.

I would like to hear the “official” non-Catholic, Protestant and/or “former Catholic” response to this, if there is one, my guess is that there are many different Protestant “twists” on this subject.

 

[JonNC]

I would like to hear the “official” non-Catholic, Protestant and/or “former Catholic” response to this, if there is one, my guess is that there are many different Protestant “twists” on this subject.

“Official” from the Book of Concord,
Epitome of the Formula of Concord

Affirmtive Theses.

Pure Doctrine of the Christian Churches concerning This Controversy.

5] For the thorough statement and decision of this controversy our doctrine, faith, and confession is:

6] 1. That good works certainly and without doubt follow true faith, if it is not a dead, but a living faith, as fruits of a good tree.

7] 2. We believe, teach, and confess also that good works should be entirely excluded, just as well in the question concerning salvation as in the article of justification before God, as the apostle testifies with clear words, when he writes as follows: Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, saying, Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin, Rom. 4, 6ff And again: By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast, Eph. 2, 8. 9.

8] 3. We believe, teach, and confess also that all men, but those especially who are born again and renewed by the Holy Ghost, are bound to do good works.

9] 4. In this sense the words necessary, shall, and must are employed correctly and in a Christian manner also with respect to the regenerate, and in no way are contrary to the form of sound words and speech.

10] 5. Nevertheless, by the words mentioned, necessitas, necessarium, necessity and necessary, if they be employed concerning the regenerate, not coercion, but only due obedience is to be understood, which the truly believing, so far as they are regenerate, render not from coercion or the driving of the Law, but from a voluntary spirit; because they are no more under the Law, but under grace, Rom. 6, 14; 7, 6; 8, 14.

11] 6. Accordingly, we also believe, teach, and confess that when it is said: The regenerate do good works from a free spirit, this is not to be understood as though it is at the option of the regenerate man to do or to forbear doing good when he wishes, and that he can nevertheless retain faith if he intentionally perseveres in sins.

12] 7. Yet this is not to be understood otherwise than as the Lord Christ and His apostles themselves declare, namely, regarding the liberated spirit, that it does not do this from fear of punishment, like a servant, but from love of righteousness, like children, Rom. 8, 15.

13] 8. Although this voluntariness [liberty of spirit] in the elect children of God is not perfect, but burdened with great weakness, as St. Paul complains concerning himself, Rom. 7, 14-25; Gal. 5, 17;

14] 9. Nevertheless, for the sake of the Lord Christ, the Lord does not impute this weakness to His elect, as it is written: There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, Rom. 8, 1.

15] 10. We believe, teach, and confess also that not works maintain faith and salvation in us, but the Spirit of God alone, through faith, of whose presence and indwelling good works are evidences.

Jon

 

[Singinbeauty]

I would like to hear the “official” non-Catholic, Protestant and/or “former Catholic” response to this, if there is one, my guess is that there are many different Protestant “twists” on this subject.

How many posts are you going to attach this question to? It certainly has a snobby, better-than-thou, taste to it… But then, more than a few of your posts have this taste when it comes to protestants… bitter.

You have gotten many good answers to the original post…

 

[Jimmy_B]

How many posts are you going to attach this question to? It certainly has a snobby, better-than-thou, taste to it… But then, more than a few of your posts have this taste when it comes to protestants… bitter.

You have gotten many good answers to the original post…

Hello Singinbeauty,

I’m done, I was just waiting for your post here, thank you…

So, are we Saved by “Faith Alone” or “Faith and Good Works”?

Peace

 

[Singinbeauty]

Hello Singinbeauty,

I’m done, I was just waiting for your post here, thank you…

So, are we Saved by “Faith Alone” or “Faith and Good Works”?

Peace

How about Grace and Faith which produce Good Works… Faith without works is dead, meaning you can’t have Faith without the works. They go hand in hand. But it is not the works that save you, many will do good works but not be with God in the end. It is your Faith that will get you there, but it is your works that make that Faith evident. If you don’t have those works then your Faith is dead - meaning your relationship with God is dead, for if you love Him you desire to do right by Him. It’s simple really… I don’t know why this is such a hard concept…

 

[Jimmy_B]

How about Grace and Faith which produce Good Works… Faith without works is dead, meaning you can’t have Faith without the works. They go hand in hand. But it is not the works that save you, many will do good works but not be with God in the end. It is your Faith that will get you there, but it is your works that make that Faith evident. If you don’t have those works then your Faith is dead - meaning your relationship with God is dead, for if you love Him you desire to do right by Him. It’s simple really… I don’t know why this is such a hard concept…

Hello Singinbeauty,

Excellent post! I think most non-Catholic Christians would be surprised the learn that when it comes to the issue of “good works” (practically speaking), that we are not that far apart.

Most of the differences are caused by semantics and to be honest, I think that there are a whole lot of people out their, who don’t know what they believe or why they believe it. I also think that Protestants over the years, have create problems, where there were none and that some Protestants feel a need to disagree with anything “Catholic” because they have been taught to dislike or disagree with the Catholic Church. Am I wrong?

Below, I have attached portions of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which address, “good works”:

The Catechism of the Catholic Church

CCC Search Result - Paragraph # 2016 hope for the grace of final perseverance and the recompense of God their Father for the good works accomplished with his grace in communion with Jesus. Keeping the…

CCC Search Result - Paragraph # 2008
initiative, and then follows man’s free acting through his collaboration, so that the merit of good works is to be attributed in the first place to the grace of God,…

CCC Search Result - Paragraph # 1821
to persevere “to the end” and to obtain the joy of heaven, as God’s eternal reward for the good works accomplished with the grace of Christ. In hope, the Church prays…

CCC Search Result - Paragraph # 1458
save what he has made. When you begin to abhor what you have made, it is then that your good works are beginning, since you are accusing yourself of your evil…

CCC Search Result - Paragraph # 2009
and worthy of obtaining “the promised inheritance of eternal life.” The merits of our good works are gifts of the divine goodness. "Grace has gone before us; now…

God bless you.

 

[vocatio]

I’m still lookikng for the passage in the bible where the bible only believing Christians say that we are to say a little prayer in our heart to accept Jesus. I believe we Catholcs live it by doing that constantly. So why would a Faith only no works bible only believeing Christian think we’re not saved? That is deeply disordered in my humble opinion.

 

[Jimmy_B]

I’m still lookikng for the passage in the bible where the bible only believing Christians say that we are to say a little prayer in our heart to accept Jesus. I believe we Catholcs live it by doing that constantly. So why would a Faith only no works bible only believeing Christian think we’re not saved? That is deeply disordered in my humble opinion.

All, great points, I’ll just add that, reciting the “sinners prayer” or the “born-again” prayer, is an action and could be concidered an act of “good works” as well.

Peace

 

[JonNC]

How about Grace and Faith which produce Good Works… Faith without works is dead, meaning you can’t have Faith without the works. They go hand in hand. But it is not the works that save you, many will do good works but not be with God in the end. It is your Faith that will get you there, but it is your works that make that Faith evident. If you don’t have those works then your Faith is dead - meaning your relationship with God is dead, for if you love Him you desire to do right by Him. It’s simple really… I don’t know why this is such a hard concept…

Exactly.

Jon

 

[khutcheson]

Normally I don’t respond to what I regard as baiting threads, but I’m going to take a shot at this one because I think this is a silly debate.

There is a belief in Protestantism (whether it has any historical basis in truth or not) that the Catholic Church has taken the position at some time in the past that you can “earn” (good works) or buy (indulgences) your way into heaven.

The reformers emphasized the sovereignty of God–that there is NOTHING we can do to be worthy of God’s grace or our salvation. Hence the reformers emphasized that our salvation is solely from God, not based on our individual merit.

Catholics now simplify and parody the Protestant belief in faith alone by contending or implying (falsely) that Protestants deny the obligation to do good works.

This is far from what most Protestants believe (indeed, I have NEVER heard any Protestant take this position). Instead, we believe that we can never DESERVE salvation, that it is an unmerited work of grace, a gift of God. However, every Church I have ever attended (moderately Calvinistic to Arminian) also emphasized that we are to love the Lord with all our heart and that if we love the Lord we will do good works, that we are to love our neighbor as ourself. We are not earning our salvation by our good works, we are obeying God’s clear commands to love in truth and in deed.

Now, finally, I have a question? If my description of what faith alone means (to us Protestants) is accurate, will it make any difference on judgment day whether one believes in “faith alone” or “faith and good works” as the Catholic Church teaches? As a follow up, if your answer to the preceding question is no, then why in the world are we worrying about it here and now?

 

[jewelz]

^Yes, I have Faith in Christ’s Gracious work alone, which He did on the cross, and not on any of the good works I’ve done through His help.

Most Catholics have Faith accompanied by a lot of other things.
Can having a Half-Faith in Christ and half-faith in ourselves save us? It is not a SOLID faith in Christ’s Fully Redemptive Work. Catholics believe they can go to hell if they are caught dead with a MORTAL sin, now, they may not end up in hell at all (though they FEAR they might and just AIM for Purgatory), they just make their life a little bit more miserable because they worry themselves about what kind of sin they commit instead of just SURRENDERING completely to God EVERYTHING about their life on earth, so they can fully live as Christians committed to doing God’s Will. Their belief in Faith + Works distracts them from Real Saving Faith in Jesus Christ alone. One “does” alot of other “good” things before one dies to be sure of heaven and what if they miss that? I doubt Martyrs were still able to do their last communion and last prayers before they die

Some people are saved without knowing it surely - they doubt & fear.
Some people are NOT saved at all but firmly believe that they are saved - this is the dangerous one because they are deceived and you will know by their attitude right away (you will see their unfruitful “christian” life)

BTW, what is the Catholics favorite verse for Faith + Good Works,
is it just only in JAMES? it seems they neglect all other verses just because of the one “ALONE” word.

 

[Jimmy_B]

Normally I don’t respond to what I regard as baiting threads, but I’m going to take a shot at this one because I think this is a silly debate.

Why do you think that this is a “silly” debate? This issue is one of the major causes of division between Catholics and Protestants. It has been a problem since the beginning of the “Protestant Movement”. Have you read any of Martin Luther’s letters? If you would like, I can post some of Luther’s quote’s here, which address “good works” to show you what I am talking about. Calvin, made “Catholic, good works” an issue as well.

There is a belief in Protestantism (whether it has any historical basis in truth or not) that the Catholic Church has taken the position at some time in the past that you can “earn” (good works) or buy (indulgences) your way into heaven.

The was an exaggeration and is an issue, that was resolved 500 years ago and should not be an issue today but unfortunately it is.

The reformers emphasized the sovereignty of God–that there is NOTHING we can do to be worthy of God’s grace or our salvation. Hence the reformers emphasized that our salvation is solely from God, not based on our individual merit.

This is similar to the Catholic belief, but not quite.

Catholics now simplify and parody the Protestant belief in faith alone by contending or implying (falsely) that Protestants deny the obligation to do good works.

This statement is inaccurate. There exist today, many thousands of Protestant denominations that do preach, “Saved by Faith Alone” or “Saved by Grace Alone” or “Once Saved Always Saved” and these people will argue that the Catholic Church is on the wrong side of this issue. Moreover, there are many Protestants here at CAF, who have taken the position the you claim, is false.

This is far from what most Protestants believe (indeed, I have NEVER heard any Protestant take this position).

What “position” exactly? If we are taking about “good works” here, this is, and continues to be a major issue.

Instead, we believe that we can never DESERVE salvation, that it is an unmerited work of grace, a gift of God. However, every Church I have ever attended (moderately Calvinistic to Arminian) also emphasized that we are to love the Lord with all our heart and that if we love the Lord we will do good works, that we are to love our neighbor as ourself. We are not earning our salvation by our good works, we are obeying God’s clear commands to love in truth and in deed.

This is just another case of semantics to try to turn a Catholic belief into a Protestant belief.

Now, finally, I have a question? If my description of what faith alone means (to us Protestants) is accurate, will it make any difference on judgment day whether one believes in “faith alone” or “faith and good works” as the Catholic Church teaches?

There are too many variables to answer this question. There are those, who claim to be Christian and do not believe in the Holy Trinity, or that, Christ was fully human and fully divine and deny a need to be baptized. Some so-called Christians, deny the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist and believe that abortion, embryonic stem cell research, euthanasia, homosexual marriages, openly gay Bishops, and multiple-marriages and divorce and so on, are fine. Finally, some do not ask for forgiveness when they have commit serious or grave sins. I’m not judging here…but you asked, so in my opinion, there are some who claim to be “Christian”, including some Catholics, who may have a problem because of their own bad decisions.

Your description is not an accurate one, Luther was the one who misinterpreted the Bible incorrectly in the first place and since then, Protestants have made “goods works” a wedge issue, which has divided, Christianity ever since.

As a follow up, if your answer to the preceding question is no, then why in the world are we worrying about it here and now?

Obviously, my answer, wasn’t - “No”. This is still an issue for millions of non-Catholic (Protestant) Christians…However, I am always happy when I learn about a non-Catholic (Protestant) denomination that has become more “Catholic” in their beliefs.

My responses are in blue. I hope this helps.

Peace

 

[jewelz]

“You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only” James 2:24

I guess this is by far the most favorite verse of Catholics, and
also by some other religions as well.

A man is justified by works by whom?
A man is justified by faith by whom?
Does God see your faith? Does God see your good work?
Does man see your faith? No, so you are only justified before men after you have done the good work that will SHOW your faith.

Abraham was justified EVEN BEFORE he sacrificed Isaac.
Abraham was justified before God but not yet before men.
After Abraham sacrificed Isaac, he was justified before men because he did the act which proved his faith is genuine.

it is evident that a person is made right with God
not by a barren faith (or a simple professing but not living faith)
but by faith fruitful in works.

Faith is still the ROOTcause of salvation.
Good Works are the FRUITS (evidence) of salvation.
Faith → Salvation → Good Works
NOT Faith + Good Works = Salvation
if you have faith, then you will be saved.
if you are saved, then you will produce good works.
it is not “have faith and enough good works” to gain/merit/earn salvation.

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

Are we Saved by “Faith Alone” or “Faith and Good Works”?

Simply put; “good works” means, doing those things that are pleasing to God.

What Christian is apposed to doing those things that are pleasing to God?

So, what is the opposite of “good works”?

The opposite of “good works” would be, doing those things that are not pleasing to God or failing to do what is pleasing to God.
_____________________________

If you believe that we are not judged by our “good works”, then please answer these 5 questions:

**1. **If “good works”, physical acts (doing those things that are pleasing to God) are not necessary for our Salvation, Then why do “Born Again” Christians recite the “Born Again” prayer? Isn’t reciting the “sinners” prayer, a physical act or an act of “good works”? Isn’t this act performed prior to one receiving “God’s grace”?

Reciting the “Born Again” prayer would definitely be, “good works”.

2. If “good works” (doing those things that are pleasing to God) are not necessary for our Salvation, then why do we baptize and why are we Baptized? Isn’t Baptism a physical act or an act of “good works”?

The act of Baptism is definitely an act of “good works”.

3. If “good works” (doing those things that are pleasing to God) are not necessary for our Salvation, then why do non-Catholic, Christians even bother with funeral ceremonies? Why do Christian Pastors read or recite prayers at funerals? Isn’t a funeral ceremony a physical act or an act of “good works”?

Funeral ceremonies are definitely an act of “good works”.

4. If “good works” (doing those things that are pleasing to God) are not necessary for our Salvation, then why do non-Catholic, Christians even bother with “wedding ceremonies” (Holy Matrimony), isn’t a wedding ceremony an act of “good works”?

Wedding ceremonies are definitely an act of “good works”.

5. If “good works” (doing those things which are pleasing to God) are not necessary for our Salvation, because our Salvation is “guaranteed”, then why is it necessary for us to pray, read the Bible, go to Church on the Sabbath, avoid sin, forgive, love and asked to be forgiven?

Aren’t all these, all acts of “good works””?
_____________________________

Please let me know if you disagree with my comments, thank you.

ISTM that “FA” & “F & GW”, may be two different answers for two “stages” of the Christian life. If so, the question is asked in a mistaken way.​

However, that solution is itself almost certainly inadequate.
As are the five objections.

The most all-inclusive solution to the question in the thread is ISTM to choose FA - for even if the answer “F & GW” is valid as the answer at any point, it is completely dependent on FA; for without justification by FA, no good works whatever are possible, except the “dead works” of the unjustified, of which the Apostle speaks.

It cannot be merited by those not justified, or else it would be a debt owed by God to sinners. It comes therefore “not because of works done in righteousness” by the unjustified (for those who " dead in sins" cannot do righteous works, but “dead works” only) but because of the Righteousness of Christ & His all-sufficient Atoning Work as the Sole Redeemer & Propitiation put forward by the Father for sinners: so it comes through faith (rather than works). It is therefore salvation by faith, without any works by justified sinners to gain it for them that they might be justified; & is therefore salvation by faith alone.

 

[KingAlfred]

“Are we Saved by “Faith Alone” or “Faith and Good Works”?”

Both. We must believe and work for Christ. Christ’s mission to Man was a good work on God’s part.

 

[Jimmy_B]

ISTM that “FA” & “F & GW”, may be two different answers for two “stages” of the Christian life. If so, the question is asked in a mistaken way.​

However, that solution is itself almost certainly inadequate.
As are the five objections.

The most all-inclusive solution to the question in the thread is ISTM to choose FA - for even if the answer “F & GW” is valid as the answer at any point, it is completely dependent on FA; for without justification by FA, no good works whatever are possible, except the “dead works” of the unjustified, of which the Apostle speaks.

It cannot be merited by those not justified, or else it would be a debt owed by God to sinners. It comes therefore “not because of works done in righteousness” by the unjustified (for those who " dead in sins" cannot do righteous works, but “dead works” only) but because of the Righteousness of Christ & His all-sufficient Atoning Work as the Sole Redeemer & Propitiation put forward by the Father for sinners: so it comes through faith (rather than works). It is therefore salvation by faith, without any works by justified sinners to gain it for them that they might be justified; & is therefore salvation by faith alone.

Hello Gottle of Geer,

Questions cannot be asked in a “mistaken way”…however, answers can be incorrect and confusing. Thank you for your post… I didn’t ‘get it’…but thank you anyways.

Maybe he gets it? (below)

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

Take care…

 

[KingAlfred]

Are we Saved by “Faith Alone” or “Faith and Good Works”?

Simply put; “good works” means, doing those things that are pleasing to God.

What Christian is apposed to doing those things that are pleasing to God?

So, what is the opposite of “good works”?

The opposite of “good works” would be, doing those things that are not pleasing to God or failing to do what is pleasing to God.
_____________________________

If you believe that we are not judged by our “good works”, then please answer these 5 questions:

**1. **If “good works”, physical acts (doing those things that are pleasing to God) are not necessary for our Salvation, Then why do “Born Again” Christians recite the “Born Again” prayer? Isn’t reciting the “sinners” prayer, a physical act or an act of “good works”? Isn’t this act performed prior to one receiving “God’s grace”?

Reciting the “Born Again” prayer would definitely be, “good works”.

2. If “good works” (doing those things that are pleasing to God) are not necessary for our Salvation, then why do we baptize and why are we Baptized? Isn’t Baptism a physical act or an act of “good works”?

The act of Baptism is definitely an act of “good works”.

3. If “good works” (doing those things that are pleasing to God) are not necessary for our Salvation, then why do non-Catholic, Christians even bother with funeral ceremonies? Why do Christian Pastors read or recite prayers at funerals? Isn’t a funeral ceremony a physical act or an act of “good works”?

Funeral ceremonies are definitely an act of “good works”.

4. If “good works” (doing those things that are pleasing to God) are not necessary for our Salvation, then why do non-Catholic, Christians even bother with “wedding ceremonies” (Holy Matrimony), isn’t a wedding ceremony an act of “good works”?

Wedding ceremonies are definitely an act of “good works”.

5. If “good works” (doing those things which are pleasing to God) are not necessary for our Salvation, because our Salvation is “guaranteed”, then why is it necessary for us to pray, read the Bible, go to Church on the Sabbath, avoid sin, forgive, love and asked to be forgiven?

Aren’t all these, all acts of “good works””?
_____________________________

Please let me know if you disagree with my comments, thank you.

Faith and good works. One has to work to be a true disciple. It’s not enough to simply say, “I have faith.” Those are words. God wants words AND deeds.