Proven

       How do you know you are loved?  Is it because someone says it to you, or because they show you by their actions?  Personally, I think we need both, but could you imagine hearing "I love you" several times a day from a person who completely ignores you otherwise?  You would doubt that love, wouldn't you?

 

       I remember watching a tv show once where the girl doubted a guy's love for her until she saw the suitcase he packed for her in her very odd and specific way.  He not only cared enough to pay attention to what her needs in packing were, but then put in the effort to do it her way.  His actions showed his love for her.  His words were proven by his actions.

 

       It is the same with faith.  Faith in God is how we get saved but if that is all we ever do and we live on, then we are condemned, for the Bible says, "...faith by itself, if it does not prove itself with actions, is dead." (Jm. 2:17 ESV) and nothing dead will be in Heaven.  Now, works cannot and will never save us, but true faith will be proven by natural (or spiritual) by-product called 'good works'.  (good- valuable, virtuous, honest; works- toil, act, deed, labour)

 

Rahab had faith proven by works (Jm. 2:24,25)

       Faith without works is dead faith because the lack of works reveals an unchanged life or a spiritually dead heart.  To remain unchanged means we are still dead in sin.  "My brothers, what profit is it if a man says he has faith and does not have works? Can faith save him?" (Jm. 2:14) James is saying how can faith save us if there are no works to prove our salvation.  The Bible also says of the wicked, "They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work." (Tt. 1:16)  Food for thought, isn't it?  But God's purpose for us in Christ is for good works, which He ordained long ago. 

 

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them. Ep. 2:10
(Jesus) who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Tt. 2:14
The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. Tt. 3:8
and let us consider one another to provoke to love and to good works, Hb. 10:24

 

       Though we are saved through faith, that faith, if genuine, will result in a changed us, one that is no longer only out for self, but begins to see through the eyes of Jesus to do the same kind of good works He did, following in His footsteps.  Then our changed lives and hearts  lead to good works which proves our genuine faith.  That is God's purpose for us.

 

 

Let your light so shine before men
that they may see your good works
and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.

Mt. 5:16