You're directly contradicting scriptures like 2 Timothy 1:9. All scriptures must agree together. So, I think that obviously you don't understand those scriptures as well as you should.
My position actually factors into account all of these scriptures, while you are simply ignoring them. You choosing one set of scriptures over another rather than seeking to understand that there is both grace and works at play - and eternal life is the reward for our works. 2 Timothy does not contradict my position in the least, for I full accept the fact that Christ has made salvation to us by grace. You take this and over apply it - however - asserting that therefore nothing else is required of us. But this contradicts everything said in the scriptures concerning the Judgement.
Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of Lights ... (James 1:17)
So that means that whatever goodness you do have is from God. A gift. And it is therefore given by grace. So what good thing do you have that you haven't received? (1 Corinthians 4:7) So no one can boast that their own works have saved them.
God gave us freewill and instructed us in what is right. In this sense all our good deeds are made possible because of God. However this does not change the fact that they are freewill decisions and worthy of merit. Hence God says he will repay us for our deeds - with a life of good deeds and righteousness resulting in eternal life.
You claim that our good works save us. Well then we are in trouble because according to the scriptures no one does any good. In fact we've all gone out of the way and become unprofitable. (Romans 3:12) We are in trouble.
That passage doesn't say that no one at all ever does good, has done good, will do good, or that they cannot do good. It is lamenting how people in general, and the Jewish people specifically at a particular point in time, had become utterly sinful and useless. The scriptures often speak in hyperbole. However, the scriptures themselves provide many examples of good people who - in general - do good things. King David was even said to be a man after God's own heart.
Furthermore, God tells us that we are fully capable of doing good
Deuteronomy 30:11-14 Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. 12 It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 14 No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.
And all our righteousness is as filthy rags. (Isaiah 64:6) Filthy rags are no fit ransom for your soul. The ransom of our souls is precious. (Psalm 49:8) So the only way to be saved is to repent. No amount of good deeds can save someone who turns away to sin. (Ezekiel 18:24)
If you have the Holy Spirit and you study God's Word, then you will know what is righteous and good in God's sight. And that is love - love for God and love for your fellow man. This is our very purpose - to do good deeds.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
The scriptures are also very clear that your faith without deeds is dead and
cannot save you (James 2)
Matthew 7:21-23 Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘
I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
1 John 4:7-8 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1 John 4:20-21 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
Only the mercy and forgiveness of God can save you. (Psalm 103:10)
Indeed it is only through God's mercy and forgiveness that we are saved - and these are gifts granted through Christ and the New Covenant established with his blood. But eternal life is the reward for our good deeds that God repays us for (Romans 2:6-11), and this is a promise which we must persevere to receive.
Hebrews 10:36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
You are the one contradicting scripture (Ephesians 2:8-9). I do not ignore any of those other verses. However I keep them in context with other scriptures and in agreement with them. You are not acknowledging how the thief was saved on the cross. Secondly you're ignoring how some people's works will be burned up and yet they will be saved.
You are cherry picking. You select a set of verses that you think teach one thing and use them as a justification for ignoring everything that contradicts your position.
And I have not ignore the fact that some people's works will be burned up and yet be saved. I addressed that by pointing out a simple fact: those who had their works burned up still had works to present for testing. This is very distinct from one who does nothing. To such people Jesus tells us what he will say to such people: ‘
I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
That doesn't mean obedience to Jesus as Lord is not necessary and that doesn't mean we shouldn't live a holy life and repent of our sins. However, as some people take the doctrine of salvation by grace to the extreme and say that all people are saved and that sinners are okay with God. And others claim you just need to believe and then go on living in sins and you'll be saved. That's completely wrong.
BUT, some people take it to the opposite extreme; which is what you're doing by saying that our good works save us. You can't show up to the wedding with any old clothes on. You must have the wedding garment. (Matthew 22:12) That is trusting in the righteousness that Jesus' own blood provides. Not trusting your own works to save you. Either you trust in Jesus or you don't. Anything more than the blood of Jesus and the operation of the holy Spirit is pride.
You have taken things to an illogical and unbiblical extreme by trying to deny the fact that eternal life is the reward for good works -which scripture explicitly states many times, and exhorts us to persevere so that we may receive what is promised.
So in conclusion yes the judgment will be based on people's deeds. And everyone will reap what they sow, but without the mercy and forgiveness of God then people's sins cannot be blotted out. Salvation will always only be by grace and mercy of God.
No one suggested that salvation is purely based upon people's deeds - of course it is all only made possible through Christ in the first place, through God's grace and mercy. You are taking this to an extreme, however, to deny the fact that eternal life or damnation is determined based upon one's deeds.