I think you should turn this post into a new thread (1 Pet. 1:18, 19).

Response to comment [from a Catholic]: [Link] "...Grace:  What It Is & What It Does..."

Gal. 1:6–8

See:

Works vs. Faith

Response to comment [from a Christian]: [Refuting a Catholic] "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling" is not about works."

"Phil 2:12 ...Their faithful response to the divine commands Paul had taught them (cf. Rom. 1:5; 15:18; 2 Cor. 10:5, 6). work out your own salvation. The Gr. verb rendered “work out” means “to continually work to bring something to fulfillment or completion.” It cannot refer to salvation by works (cf. Rom. 3:21–24; Eph. 2:8, 9), but it does refer to the believer’s responsibility for active pursuit of obedience in the process of sanctification (see notes on 3:13, 14; Rom. 6:19; cf. 1 Cor. 9:24–27; 15:58; 2 Cor. 7:1; Gal. 6:7–9; Eph. 4:1; Col. 3:1–17; Heb. 6:10, 11; 12:1, 2; 2 Pet. 1:5–11). fear and trembling. The attitude with which Christians are to pursue their sanctification. It involves a healthy fear of offending God and a righteous awe and respect for Him (cf. Prov. 1:7; 9:10; Is. 66:1, 2)."
Gr. Greek
MacArthur, John Jr: The MacArthur Study Bible. electronic ed. Nashville : Word Pub., 1997, c1997, S. Php 2:12

See:

A Scriptural Response to: Biblical Evidence or Catholics St. Joseph Communication

"This is talking about obedience, not salvation by works."

Scripture is clear. Works are insufficient for salvation (Psa. 49:7, 8; Psa. 127:1, 2; Eccl. 1:14; Isa. 43:26; Isa. 57:12; Isa. 64:6; Ezek. 7:19; Ezek. 33:12–19; Dan. 9:18; Matt. 5:20; Luke 17:7–10; Luke 18:9–14; Acts 13:39; Rom. 3:20–31; Rom. 4:1–8 vs. 9–22.; Rom. 8:3; Rom. 9:16, 31, 32; Rom. 11:6; 1 Cor. 13:1–3; Gal. 2:16, 19, 21; Gal. 3:10–12, 21 vs. 1–29.; Gal. 4:9–11; Gal. 5:2, 4, 6, 18; Gal. 6:15; Eph. 2:8, 9; Phil. 3:3–9; Col. 2:20–23; 2 Tim. 1:9; Tit. 3:4, 5; Heb. 4:3–10; Heb. 6:1, 2; Heb. 9:1–14; Jas. 2:10, 11).

[Your personal interpretation ] "Actually, it is my personal belief from reading the Bible and accepting Paul among the historical apostles. He affirms that obedience is required in the believe, but he also states that it is not by works that one becomes a believer (and obtains salvation). Paul is telling them to be obedient, not telling them how to be saved by works. Otherwise you would have a contradiction with what he has said elsewhere. And besides, your view is not in keeping with the flow of the passage.  There is judgment according to works. But not for salvation.  And salvation is for those who obey Him (these are believers)."

The gospel of grace (Ac 14:3; 20:32) must be believed (Mk 1:15; Heb 4:2).

"There is such a thing as dead works."

All a dead person can do is dead works. 1 Tim. 6:3–5, Eph 5:11

Response to comment [from a Christian]: "Which is why Paul said the commandment to bring life, he found to bring death. It proved he was a sinner."

Yep. The law gives us the knowledge of sin (Rom. 3:20). It leads us to Christ (Gal. 3:24, 25). The meaning of the law is fulfilled in him (Matt. 5:17–48). The apostle Paul needed God's grace--and so do we (Ac 20:24,32).

Response to comment [from a Christian]: "How so? Is being convicted the evidence of condemnation--or simply self examination that points to a need in one's life?"

"Christ's parables show us that we must be made new. We are all sinners in need of a Savior. "Who can make the clean out of the unclean? No one! (Job 14:4, NASB)." Our hearts are deceitful and wicked (Jer 17:9). To think otherwise makes God out to be a liar (1 Jn 1:10). It is impossible to defend yourself and defend God at the same time (McGee). "As it is written, "there is none righteous, not even one." (Rom 3:10). The verdict is in: "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23)." Christ alone is holy: "You alone are holy; For all the nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed (Rv 15:4)." The only righteousness we have is in Jesus Christ (if we are in Christ). We have no righteousness of our own.

If one says that he knows God and obeys Him but does not, he is a liar. We do not put the cart before the horse. First we hear the gospel (Rom 10:17), then we obey (a command) or not. Love is more behavior than affection. The Christian is one who has obeyed (1 Pet 1:22) and is obeying (2 Cor 4:16). Others are Christian in name only..." Full text: Armor of the Lord: I'll Take My Chances

No one seeks God (Ro 3:11). "Rom 3:11 none … understands. Man is unable to comprehend the truth of God or grasp His standard of righteousness (see Pss. 14:2; 53:3; cf. 1 Cor. 2:14). Sadly, his spiritual ignorance does not result from a lack of opportunity (1:19, 20; 2:15), but is an expression of his depravity and rebellion (Eph. 4:18). none … seeks. See Ps. 14:2. This verse clearly implies that the world’s false religions are fallen man’s attempts to escape the true God—not to seek Him. Man’s natural tendency is to seek his own interests (cf. Phil. 2:21), but his only hope is for God to seek him (John 6:37, 44). It is only as a result of God’s work in the heart that anyone seeks Him (Ps. 16:8; Matt. 6:33)...MacArthur, Rom 3:11"

He stands at the door and knocks. We must open the door. "Re 3:20 I stand at the door and knock. Rather than allowing for the common interpretation of Christ’s knocking on a person’s heart, the context demands that Christ was seeking to enter this church that bore His name but lacked a single true believer. This poignant letter was His knocking. If one member would recognize his spiritual bankruptcy and respond in saving faith, He would enter the church...MacArthur, Re 3:20"

It's his house. "Mt 21:13 It is written. Jesus conflates two OT prophecies, Is. 56:7 (“My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations”) and Jer. 7:11 (“Has this house, which is called by My name, become a den of thieves in your eyes?”)." MacArthur, John Jr: The MacArthur Study Bible. electronic ed. Nashville : Word Pub., 1997, c1997, S.

Response to comment [from a Christian]: "The question was if dead works are the works of religious people who do not know God."

Yes. They are dead. Their works are dead (Col 1:21). They have not done a work in Christ.

"There is no such thing as works done in Christ that merit salvation."

"You are not saved by your works. You work because you're saved." ~ Adrian Rogers

Response to comment [from a "Christian"]: "And you guys abusing His grace by being disobedient to Him."

Proof please.

As a reminder, meshak is number 17 on Satan, Inc. (TOL's heretic's list) in the The 'Jesus is not God' people (Non-trinitarians) category.

Response to comment [from a Christian]:  "Has God ever used anyone other than a righteous person to do His bidding..."

How about the apostle Paul, chief among sinners? 1 Ti 1:15. Saved people have yet the remains of sin in them (Ro 7:17,23; Ga 5:17).

"Should we include Mary in that mix?"

Mary was a sinner in need of a savior (Lk 1:47).

"[J. Vernon] Mcgee is the least capable to give anyone understanding in any of this."

J. Vernon McGee was a fine servant of the Lord.

"Our righteousness is the issue in this, unto our inheritance in the Father and His sanctification in us, not Jesus'..."

We have no righteousness of our own (Ro 3:12).  Christ's righteousness is imputed (Ro 4:5,11,24).

[Isa.5:16]

What is Grace?