"FAITH THAT WORKS, BY LOVE."
Galatians 5:6 ...'For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but FAITH WHICH WORKETH BY LOVE.'

What does true faith do? It WORKS. And not just that, it works BY LOVE. There are many professed Christians in the world who are in two categories, and BOTH categories are NOT of faith. The one says that we just need to 'believe' in Jesus, going no further, and not experiencing a true SANCTIFYING LIFE OF FAITH. And the other says that we must do works to be saved. I would not want to be in either category.

We are not saved by faith AND works, we are saved by GRACE through faith. But true faith in Christ Jesus will produce works of love. It is Christ who works in us (Philippians 2:13). So to have faith in Christ and do no works, when we have opportunity, is not faith at all. To be just is to be righteous, and a righteous man will do righteous acts. That is the fruit of righteousness. But how does he do these works? By faith:

By faith Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice - Hebrews 11:4.

By faith Noah moved with fear preparing an ark to the saving of his family - Hebrews 11:7.

By faith Abraham obeyed and he went out not knowing where he went - Hebrews 11:8.

John 8:39 ...'Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.'

Mark this point well - Who resides in us by FAITH? Jesus Christ through the Spirit. So who will LEAD us each day? Jesus Christ. And what will the Lord lead us into? Sin? Laziness? Worldliness? Entertainment? Selfishness? NO! - OBEDIENCE and GOOD WORKS. So if we have a true, living faith, we will gladly DO as the Lord DIRECTS! Yet it is not us doing the work. It is the Lord through the Spirit. We simply have to ALLOW Him to do His work in us. The problem is, many of us are NOT allowing the Lord to work in us. Surrender and sacrifice is what we need!

Philippians 2:13 ...'For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.'

Now there are many who like to quote what Paul said of Abraham, but don't like to quote what James said of Abraham. So let us look at both, so we can receive the WHOLE council of God. Both Paul and James were inspired by the Holy Spirit right? So we must use them both and thus gain a clear understanding:

Romans 4:2-3 ...'For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.'

James 2:21-24 ...'Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.'

Is there a contradiction between Paul and James? No, as James also confirms that righteousness was imputed to Abraham due to his faith in God. But James takes it a step further, a step that many Christians today are afraid to take. James confirms that Abraham's faith "WROUGHT with his works". Now that word 'wrought' in the original language means to 'help'. In other words, Abraham's faith (of which was imputed to him righteousness), HELPED him to work. And that's what true faith will do for all of us. It will CAUSE us to work. Abraham was a 'doer' of God's Word (James 1:22), BECAUSE he believed in God and His promises.

Hebrews 11:8 ...'By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.'

Abraham had a "FAITH that works BY LOVE".

Jesus confirmed Himself what James said and complements both Paul and James. Look at what Jesus said in John 15:4-6 ...'Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.'

God requires the entire surrender of the heart, before justification can take place; and in order for man to retain justification, there must be continual obedience, through active, living faith that works by love and purifies the soul. FW 100.1 In order for man to be justified by faith, faith must reach a point where it will control the affections and impulses of the heart; and it is by obedience that faith itself is made perfect. FW 100.2

THIS IS A SERIOUS MESSAGE THAT WE MUST UNDERSTAND.