Scripture-first response
“Salvation by faith alone makes obedience a work.”
Grace is the source and Christ is the ground. Living faith receives the gift by trusting and obeying God; it does not earn the gift.
What the objection is claiming
Every responsive action is classified as meritorious labor, leaving faith as bare mental agreement.
Ephesians 2:8-10
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.Open full referenceSalvation is God’s gift by grace through faith, creating believers for the good works God prepared.
How the passages answer it
Ephesians excludes boasting and then says grace creates people for good works. Romans speaks of the obedience of faith. Colossians defines baptism as faith in God’s operation. The saving power belongs to God from start to finish.