Faith without works is dead! This truth is of utmost importance, as God emphasizes through repetition in His Word. The apostle Paul, in Ephesians 2:8-9, clarifies that works do not save us, but grace and faith do. Yet, in the very next verse, Ephesians 2:10, he affirms that we are created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. God desires us to walk in good works, and He has designed our spiritual journey to teach us to perform them. Doing good works in the name of Jesus Christ is a central purpose in the life of every true Christian. There is no contradiction between Paul and James on this matter. Paul states that faith is required and that good works are also necessary. James, in his epistle, declares that faith and works are inseparable, likening faith apart from works to barrenness, unproductive and unprofitable. A person with only faith, without the steady rain of works, will produce nothing of value and cannot grow or mature spiritually. Works toward God are to do His will, His work, and to obey His laws. Works toward our neighbors are to serve them and do good for them. Such works promote the growth of godly character and provide a shining example of true Christian living. Faith without works is dead, but faith with works brings life—eternal life!

Works are essential alongside faith, for faith without works is dead. Works do not save us, but they are required as evidence of our faith, demonstrating its vitality and purpose. Our Savior expects us to become coworkers with Him in our salvation, as well as in the salvation of all mankind. We must do good works to be blessed with eternal life, and all who have eternal life engage in such works. God prepared these good works beforehand for us to walk in them, emphasizing that it is a tragic error to believe we need perform no works in our salvation. The purpose of God's grace and reconciliation is to lead us to stop doing bad works and start doing good works, to abandon selfishness and practice godly love. Jesus calls us to live for righteousness, which means living by God's law, as He pleads with us to keep His commandments if we love Him. Through His gospel, Christ transfers to us the faith He had, enabling us to make every effort to keep God's law with the Spirit in us, reflecting His way of life. God has called us to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, cooperating with Him as He works in us to will and to do for His good pleasure.

The Bible clearly states that Christians are required to do good works. While works cannot justify us before God, they are essential as evidence of belief and repentance, even before baptism. We work to bear fruit that demonstrates our faith by turning our lives toward God, studying His Word diligently, meditating on truth, keeping the Sabbath, and making changes in various aspects of our lives. However, no work or combination of works can erase the stain of past conduct; only the blood of Jesus Christ provides forgiveness and access to God. Sanctification brings a far different and exceedingly important application of works. Without holiness, achieved through works, no one will see the Lord. We must work with the Father and Son by yielding to Their purpose for us, as sanctification is the inward spiritual work that Jesus Christ performs in us. As our High Priest, He labors to separate us from our natural love of sin and the world, instilling a new principle of life to make us holy in our actions and reactions. This process prepares us for living in the Kingdom of God and enables a godly witness before men. Sanctification involves intense work over time, walking in love, keeping the commandments, and overcoming sin and the world within a relationship with the Father and Son. It is not merely talk about religion or extensive study, but requires action. The love of God is expressed through deeds, not just words, as Jesus exhorts us to keep His commandments as a means of showing love, loyalty, and submission to Him. The works of sanctification, enabled by God, are the evidence of our conversion and the only sure sign that one has been called and impregnated by His Spirit. Each believer is personally responsible to our Father and High Priest Jesus Christ for sanctification, which requires works. These efforts do not pass unnoticed by Them, even though they possess no power to justify us. God is pleased with the works we do during sanctification, as they produce holiness despite their imperfections. We must present God with evidence of the singleness of our hearts by making strong efforts to submit to Him, glorify Him, overcome sin, and bring forth much fruit. If a Christian does not work, there will be nothing for God to judge, and thus no evidence of preparation for His Kingdom. A faith that does not work is dead, and according to Scripture, faith is perfected and brought to completion by works. Sanctification is necessary as a witness to the Christian's character as he passes before the judgment seat of Christ. God's purpose includes more than justification; it involves the work of Jesus Christ as our High Priest, perfecting our character through His Spirit. Sanctification requires works of submission and cooperation with Almighty God to bring His purpose for us to completion. An unsanctified person would not find God's Kingdom congenial, as it is a holy place for holy people, requiring preparation through works. In maintaining the unity of God's church, we must carry out responsibilities through works in humility, kindness, and forbearance. We are to throw off carnal works and strive for a renewed mind to be created in the image of God in true righteousness and holiness. Specific works include speaking truth, controlling tempers, being honest, earning our way to give to others, and speaking words that edify. We must never forget that we owe everything to our indwelling Lord and Master, acknowledging Him as the Source of all gifts and strengths, enabling us to glorify Him through our works. Through sanctification, Christians make constant use of daily prayer and Bible study, combined with efforts to obey God. Without these works, there is no relationship with the Father or the Son, and thus no enablement to achieve the required works for growth in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.