Having a faith that works

Having a faith that works   Sant 2:14, 24 My brethren, what will he take advantage of if anyone says he has faith, and has no works? Can faith save him? ... You see, then, that man is justified by works, and not only by faith. Many false teachers say you can earn your salvation by doing good works. Most Christians understand the heresy of that teaching, but some are confused when they read that man is justified by works and not only by faith (James 2:24). That seems to conflict with Paul's teachings on the Salvation by grace through faith. But when understood correctly, James's teaching of salvation is perfectly consistent with Paul's. Paul clearly taught salvation by grace. In Ephesians 2: 8-9 he says: “Because by grace you are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God; not by works, so that no one will boast ”But Paul also taught that true salvation results in good works, because in the following verse it says:“ Because we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand for us to walk in them ” In Titus 3: 5 it says that God saved us, not by works of justice that we would have done, but by his mercy, but Titus 2: 11-12 clarifies that God's grace leads us to renounce impiety and worldly desires and to live sensibly, fairly and piously in the present age. That is the right balance between faith and works. James also taught salvation by grace. He said that God redeems sinners by the Word of truth and implants His Word within them to enable them in the progress of holiness (James 1:18, 21). That is a divine work, not a human effort, James 2: 14-24 continues to tell us how we can know that the work has taken place: there will be more than just a proclamation of faith but a faith that does good works. Do not be confused by how faith relates to good works. Put them together as a living testimony of God's saving grace. By John MacArthur