Daily Devotion: The Role of Works in Salvation by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: James 2:13-20 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."
- James 2:17 KJV

Like Grace and Faith that we explored in the last two devotionals, Works plays a role in salvation, but its role is much different than Grace and Faith. Continuing our analogy from the last devotional, if Grace is the door to salvation and Faith is the key to open it, then works is what is produced after passing through the door of salvation. In this devotional, we will explore the role of Works in salvation as described in the Bible.

Works: The Outward Expression of Faith 

The Bible clearly states that salvation does not rely on works in Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." As the passage states, if works were involved in salvation, then our own pride would swell up robbing God of His deserved glory. So what is the point of Works in salvation?

Works are the outward appearance of our faith and the evidence of our salvation. Consider our Key Verse, James 2:17 (KJV), which says, "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." If the Faith of your salvation does not produce works, then it is a dead faith that did not save you - you have a counterfeit salvation.

Here we see the importance of Works resulting from our salvation. While Faith is essential to salvation, Works validates that the salvation was genuine. Works are the evidence of our Faith and the means by which we demonstrate our love for God and our fellow man.

Conclusion 

The roles of grace, faith, and works in salvation are intertwined and interdependent. Grace is the unmerited favor of God, faith is our belief in God's promises, and works are the outward appearance of our faith. Together, these three elements provide the means of salvation and evidence of it. James 2:18 best sums it up saying, "Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works."

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