Faith without works is dead! This truth is of utmost importance, as God emphasizes it through repetition in His Word. The apostle James clearly teaches that faith and works are inseparable, for faith apart from works is barren, unproductive, and ineffective. Meanwhile, the apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, declares that we are saved by grace through faith, not by works, lest anyone should boast. Yet, in the very next verse, Paul affirms that we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand for us to walk in. There is no contradiction between Paul and James on this matter. Faith is required, and good works are also required. Doing good works in the name of Jesus Christ is a major part of the purpose for each true Christian's life; we cannot truly be Christians without them. Works toward God are to do His will, to perform His work, and to obey His laws. Works toward our neighbors are to serve them and to do good for them. Such works promote the growth of godly character and provide a shining example of true Christian living. Faith with works brings life—eternal life!

God's grace does not abolish His law, for the issue is not law or grace, but law and grace. His spiritual law coexists with His grace, and even blessing us with His law is an act of His grace. Faith does not replace good works, as works do not save us but are required as evidence of our faith. The issue is not works or faith, but works and faith, since faith without works is dead. We must do good works to be blessed with eternal life, and all who have eternal life do such works. Our Savior expects us to become coworkers with Him in our salvation, as well as the salvation of all mankind. It is a tragic error to believe that we need perform no works in our salvation, that Jesus will keep the law for us through the Holy Spirit. The purpose of His reconciliation and God's grace is to get us to quit transgressing His law, to stop doing bad works and begin doing good works, to quit practicing selfishness and start practicing godly love. He pleads with us, "If you love Me, keep My commandments." Jesus tells us we must do something, not just believe, to gain salvation, instructing us to keep the commandments if we want to enter into life. God's goal is to bring all of us to the point where we cooperate with Him in our salvation, working out our own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in us both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

There is no contradiction in the matter of salvation and works. We learn that there are two kinds of faith: a living faith and a dead faith. A dead faith, which many blindly trust in, will never save a single soul. James declares that faith without works is dead, emphasizing that Abraham was justified by works when he offered Isaac upon the altar. By works, faith is made perfect, and by works, a man is justified, not by faith only. We are not saved by works instead of faith. We are saved by faith, but faith must be accompanied by works to be made perfect. This is living faith. Salvation is needed because we have sinned, and the penalty of sin is death. Sin is the transgression of the law, as defined by God. Though some claim we are under grace and not under the law, the inspired Paul counters with a resounding, "God forbid!" We must not continue in sin, transgressing the law, under the guise of grace. The law holds power over the sinner, claiming the life of the transgressor. It is the sinner who is under the law. However, when the sinner repents and accepts the sacrifice of Christ as payment for the penalty of the law, he is pardoned under grace. The law no longer stands over him, claiming his life. Only those who, through repentance, obedience, and faith, turn from disobedience and keep the law are under grace. By the deeds of the law, no flesh shall be justified in His sight, for the law provides the knowledge of sin. The purpose of the law is not to forgive or cleanse, but to reveal sin so we may turn from it. Only the blood of Christ can wash away sin. God's law is a spiritual mirror, showing the dirt on our hearts, but it does not cleanse—only Christ's blood accomplishes that. James explains that we must be doers of the word, not hearers only. He who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues therein, being a doer of the work, shall be blessed in his deed. Some argue that no man can keep the commandments, claiming it is not humanly possible. Yet, Scripture answers, "God forbid!" Faith establishes the law, and by keeping it, faith is made perfect. Jesus Himself taught that to enter into life, one must keep the commandments. Though with men this is impossible, with God all things are possible. It takes faith in the power of God, coupled with diligent effort, to achieve perfect obedience. A living faith, the only kind that saves, is an active faith that trusts God to make obedience possible. God's law is perfect, holy, just, and good, standing fast forever. It is a law of love, the perfect way of life, given to make man happy. Human suffering and misery come from its transgression. Through faith and the gift of God's Holy Spirit, it is possible for man to keep His commandments. Whoever claims otherwise is called a liar by God. God's purpose in salvation is to rescue men from sin and its resulting misery and death. To repent of sin is the first step. Then, the blood of Christ, upon acceptance and faith, cleanses past sins. By faith, we are kept from sin in the future, resulting in righteousness imparted from God. We are not justified by the law, but by the blood of Jesus Christ. Yet, this justification comes only on condition that we repent of our transgressions of God's law. Thus, only the doers of the law shall be justified.