“But someone will say [to you then], You [say you] have faith, and I have [good] works. Now you show me your [alleged] faith apart from any [good] works [if you can], and I by [good] works [of obedience] will show you my faith.” James 2:18(Amplified Bible)
The age old question, “Is it works or faith that saves?” never seems to garnish a concluding argument. The truth is there is no conflict in scripture about salvation. Salvation is by grace through faith alone and only one thing on our part is necessary, that is that we believe(have faith).
What, then, do we do with the discourse in James promoting the place of works as a testimony of the believer’s faith? We believe and accept it as proof of faith. The works that James speaks of are not works that produce salvation in one’s life. Rather, they are the works produced by the salvation one receives through faith (truly believing).
Faith results in a confirmation of what we say we believe. If I really believe I am saved by faith in the atoning work of Jesus on the cross then my life will reflect my new nature given to me when I believed. Good works are the fruit of salvation. Salvation brings forth a new “creation” with the mind of Christ.
James is saying that if I really believe Iam saved I will live like it. Works are not a means of salvation but a proof that you are saved. “As a man thinketh in his heart so is he.” If you do not know that you are saved how can you live like it? Doubt nullifies any chance of living the way we should.
We look for good works in order to confirm a change in the inward nature of the individual. Depending on works as part of our salvation will never give us any security that we are saved. It only produces doubt.
“For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us[taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].” Eph. 2:10