Faith and Good Works
The Function of “Works” in Christianity
Good works profit me nothing. They will not serve to save a single hair of my head. We are saved by grace through faith, not by works. Good works, however, serve as a testimony of that salvation that the Christ provided for us freely. What better testimony can we have than to practice that which we believe. -Bruce Scott
James said it best in chapter one verse twenty two of his book, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22). As Christians, good works are EXPECTED of us. God expects them of us. They are for the perfecting of our faith.
James explains further in chapter two beginning in verse fourteen, “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, is dead.” (James 2:14-17). In short, James is saying that there is no point, or profit, in calling ourselves Christians, if we are not going to demonstrate it in our actions, for this is how the Gospel is spread. If we call ourselves Christians, but behave as the rest of the world, then there is no difference between us and them. As Christians, we are to clothe the poor, feed the hungry, and bring the peace of the gospel to them in word and in deed.
“But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” (James 2:18). Again James illustrates just how vital works are for Christians. They demonstrate our faith to the world and thereby allow the spreading of the gospel. Works are the soil in which our faith grows to maturity and perfection.”For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 2:26). Works are, in fact, the very spirit of our faith. While works do not save us, they do perfect our faith in the grace that does.
Glory to God in the highest in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus, The Christ!
Bruce Scott is a Christian man residing in North Georgia with his wife and six children. He has been called of God to found the Enochian Church of Jesus the Christ, a church that is founded of all of God’s word. The Church will eventually be located in or near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina as God has shown him the need to accomplish this work there.
Copyright Bruce Scott 2008