Our scripture reference includes the following verses:
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? (James 2:14-20) (KJV).
The difference between faith and works
Some will say faith is very important. Some will say that works are very important. Which is it? Which is more important: faith or works? As we read here:
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? (:14)
Here it seems both are important but we are also told:
Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Eph 2:9)
Both are equally important with this difference. Faith is necessary in our relationship with God. Faith, however, is unseen, and therefore, our works manifest to us where our faith truly lies.
The difference between faith and believing
I have heard many say they have faith, but in the end, this is nothing more than false belief. Anyone can believe, but faith requires action. As James tells us:
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. (:17)
Faith must produce evidence (Hebrews 11:1) or your faith is dead being alone. Faith is walking on water while belief remains in the boat and complains (Matthew 14:26,29)
How are works necessary?
Remember it is “not of works” (Ephesians 2:9) and “not by works of righteousness which we have done” (Titus 3:5). When God saved me in 1980, I had no good works to speak of and for a long time I can honestly say I still had none. Yet I was still as saved as I was in the beginning. Later as I grew spiritually, this changed. As my faith grew, my life changed radically. As my works increased, my faith grew exponentially. While works are not necessary for salvation, they are necessary for your spiritual growth.
Summary
Faith vs. Works
- Faith is necessary for salvation while works are not
- Faith is necessary to please God but works are not
- Works are necessary for spiritual growth because:
- They prove your faith is real
- They cause your faith to grow
- Without works, your faith will become stagnant
Is faith necessary? The answer is yes. Are works necessary? The answer is yes..
Next page: The Futility of Worry
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