14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

James 2:14-17

All too often men confuse faith and works. James, the brother of Jesus, works hard to distinguish what we should think about when we hear these words. Faith in Jesus is what saves us, not works. And if no amount of "doing the right thing" can improve our standing before God. Don't become confused. A man's actions reflect the faith of that man. James is quick to point out that you cannot have faith without works, but works do not redeem a man before God.

Paul says in Ephesians 2 that it is by grace through faith that we experience salvation, not a result of works. Think of "works" like you would the dashboard instruments in your car. The instruments give an indication of the status of the vehicle's operation. In the same way, a man's actions reflect his faith. When a man obeys God because he believes Him, the result is good works. It starts with God's grace through our faith. Let your faith motivate your actions.

DO THIS TODAY: Demonstrate your faith by obeying God.