Faith is a work, though not a work that earns justification. In John 6:27-29, when the people ask what they must do to work the works of God, Jesus answers, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent." Believing is therefore an act that expends spiritual energy, as are repentance and bearing fruit. Yet Ephesians 2:8 declares that salvation is by grace through faith, "not of yourselves; it is the gift of God." The two fit together because the work of faith is the work of receiving a gift. A tall oak's roots labor enormously to draw water and minerals from the soil, yet they do not produce those nutrients but receive them. In the same way, the faith to believe in Christ's sacrifice, to repent, and to produce fruit is itself given by God through His calling and His revealing of Himself and His Son. Without that gift, a person would remain in his deceived state and neither repent nor bear fruit. Human works cannot justify, because every human offering is tainted by sin and no man can pay the price for the world's sins. Only Christ's sinless sacrifice suffices. Justification is a free gift, yet it costs the receiver his life. Works of faith have no part in justification, but they are vital in sanctification, which requires sacrifice, striving, prayer, and fighting against sin.

Faith is a spiritual work, and it is the foundation of all spiritual works connected to the true God. Jesus defines it in John 6:28-29: "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent." Work is something we do and is active, so faith is not passivity. Because life is confusing and we seldom have all the facts for a wise decision, we are called to live by faith, which means trusting God and obeying what we do know is right, even when the situation is unclear. Solomon's conclusion, "Fear God, and keep His commandments," is safe guidance in every circumstance. Choosing to obey while trusting God for what remains unseen is never the same as doing nothing, and it makes life profitable. This faith also takes labor in seeking wisdom. Wisdom is skill for living, and it is acquired, not inborn. It does not appear by magic, even after repentance. It must be sought like silver and hidden treasure by inclining the ear, applying the heart, and studying, which means analyzing and correcting oneself rather than merely gathering information. Those who do not work do not eat (II Thessalonians 3:10). Yet wisdom is never earned. God gives it as a gift of grace to His children, so the effort of faith keeps us humble.

Faith is itself a work, as Jesus emphasizes that godly work for the individual lies in believing in Him as the Messiah. Labor is involved in faith because living faith requires activity to be genuine. Faith without works is dead, and such faith is, in reality, not faith at all. Merely believing or agreeing with God is of itself no better than being dead, for dead things produce nothing since nothing is working to create results. If a person only agrees, he merely has a preference, and his works will be at best inconsistent and sporadic. However, if a person has living faith, his belief will be a conviction, and works will inevitably follow.