“What good is it, my Brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” James 2:14-17
Many people confuse good works with the path to salvation. The scripture makes it clear that salvation is by grace and grace alone. Even our works are an act of God’s grace. We cannot earn salvation through good works, it is a free gift. It is a result of our faith that we even desire to work for the things of God.
“It is not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His (God’s) great mercy, He saved us.” Titus 3:5
As we continue to do the works of righteousness, know that our deeds are the result of God’s great mercy and amazing grace working in us
through faith. If we allow the Lord to develop and strengthen our faith, He will accomplish His work through our faith!
Faithfully,
Pastor R. Mario Howell