II Corinthians 13:5 instructs us to examine ourselves to see whether we are in the faith, to test ourselves. A vital way to measure our faith is through obedience, as exemplified by Abraham, the Father of the Faithful. In Genesis 22:12, God acknowledges Abraham's fear of Him, demonstrated by his willingness to sacrifice his only son, showing that God measures faith by obedience. As Genesis 22:18 states, the blessings Abraham received were due to his obedience to God's voice. Thus, just as God knew the depth of Abraham's faith through his actions, we can gauge our own faith by our level of obedience. The connection between belief and obedience is further emphasized in I Peter 2:7, where Peter contrasts belief with disobedience, implying that true belief leads to obedience, while disbelief results in disobedience. James reinforces this in James 2:22, stating that faith works together with actions, and by works, faith is made perfect. Faith without obedience is incomplete, aligning with the idea that believers are obedient and disbelievers are disobedient. Therefore, New Testament belief is not merely a feeling but a deep commitment to God, evidenced by obedience. The Greek word "apeitheo," meaning to disbelieve and implying disobedience, shows that disbelief and disobedience are interchangeable in scriptures like Romans 2:8 and 10:21. Similarly, translations in Hebrews 3:18 render it as both disbelief and disobedience, highlighting their synonymous nature. Together, Peter, Paul, and James demonstrate that true faith and obedience are inseparable. While obedience itself does not save, it serves as evidence of the kind of belief that does save. John 3:16, when fully understood, promises everlasting life not just to those who hear and believe, but to the doers, those who also obey. As James 2:20-26 illustrates through the examples of Abraham and Rahab, faith is dead without actions to accompany it. It is through actions that God reckons a person to be good, not solely through faith. Therefore, our level of obedience serves as the test that measures the state of our faith, both for us and for God.

Works do not save us, but they are required as evidence of our faith. The issue is not works or faith, but works and faith, since faith without works is dead. If faith without works is useless, then surely faith with works must have a use. Jesus Himself instructs that to enter into life, one must keep the commandments, emphasizing that we must do something, not just believe, to gain salvation. Our Savior expects us to become coworkers with Him in our salvation, as we are created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. It is a tragic error to believe that no works are needed in our salvation. The purpose of God's grace is to lead us to stop transgressing His law, to quit doing bad works, and to start doing good works, practicing godly love. He pleads with us, if we love Him, to keep His commandments. God's goal is to bring us to cooperate with Him in our salvation, working out our own salvation with fear and trembling, as it is God who works in us to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Faith is not merely a belief but a dynamic force that manifests through works, as exemplified by the lives of the faithful in Hebrews 11. Abel offered a sacrifice by faith, demonstrating his belief in God's word through obedient action. His act of faith, motivated by hearing and believing God's instruction, produced a work that aligned with what God ordained for those created in Christ Jesus to walk in. This shows that faith and works are inseparable in the process of salvation, as God testifies through Abel's witness that the creation of salvation in each person begins and progresses through such faith-driven actions. Enoch, by faith, walked with God, pleasing Him through a life of agreement and submission. Walking with God signifies a virtuous life, a voluntary and progressive movement in harmony with God's will, reflecting humble obedience. Enoch's example illustrates that during sanctification, works are essential, as they are the means through which God's laws and image are written in us through lived experience. His life of faith was not passive but active, setting aside carnal preferences to bow before God's desires, thus showing that works are a necessary expression of faith. The arrangement of Hebrews 11 emphasizes a progression of faith experienced in practical life, where works are integral to each stage. From Abel's justification through faith to Enoch's sanctification by walking with God, it is clear that works are required for the faithful to move toward glorification. God demands that those who receive His gifts be humble and submit, cooperating with Him in this transformative process. Without works, there is no evidence of faith, for it is through doing—living out God's will—that His character is formed in us. God is clear that while works do not save, they are indispensable for those being sanctified. The faithful are fellow-laborers with Him, walking and working to reflect His holy character. This cooperative effort is what enables God to create His image in us, underscoring that faith without works is incomplete. The lives of Abel and Enoch stand as powerful witnesses that works are not optional but are the very expression of a living faith.