the work of faith

"We're saved by faith alone!"   "We're saved through good works!"  

These two competing statements have wrestled each other for centuries.  The book of James shows that faith and works were never meant to compete...they were meant to coexist.  It is pretty clear from the book of Ephesians, chapter 2, verses 8-9 that our entrance into the Kingdom of God is not "dependent" on our good works:   8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, lest anyone should boast.  

Less frequently quoted is the next verse: Ephesians 2:10; ¹⁰ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

James points out that the kind of good works that God wants are the ones that follow the spark plug of faith. When we have truly accepted Christ as Savior we are changed by His presence and by hearts that have been washed clean for eternity.  The actions that immediately flow from a life that has been changed this way confirm the change and show the presence of the Lord.  Our first work is our response of acceptance to the gift of salvation.  It isn't enough to understand God's love.  We must take action to open our heart's door.

We have been changed because God has a ministry of change to bring to the world and that cannot take place unless we follow through with the work that flows from faith.  Faith is the active ingredient that changes hearts...Works are the "follow through" of faith.

 

blessings,

Rob Smith