Faith Works

 Man, if you use the word "works" in a sentence most forums will derail.  It's such a heated topic that it puts some ridiculous extremes on the table to consider.  The fact is you were saved for a purpose.  If you decline the purpose I'm not sure you can claim you ever accepted salvation.  

King Arthur has a horde of attackers from the North.  He Knights, Galahad, as Sir Galahad.  He equips him with weapons and armor.  He provides him a mount and a squire and some pages.  Galahad is now sent to the North to fight for Arthur King.  Galahad is thankful.  Look at all the beautiful gifts, the horse, the helpers, the finest weapons.... he even has an allowance that he is to share with the people to pay his own way and not be a burden on the people.  So, Galahad rides around the countryside, giving the money to pay his and his people's way, showing off his pretty bling, but never goes to fight the Northern Invaders.  When He runs out of money is the King going to replenish him as a Knight since he has not done the job he was Knighted to do? 

We are saved to do good works. 

We are His instruments of righteousness, or tools of righteousness. We are the means that He presents His love to the people through.  

God uses EVERYONE for His purpose.  His Will be done is a statement of fact, not a request we need make.  

There are two people in the Bible that didn't seek to be God's tools and God used them to accomplish His plan of salvation.  Judas Iscariot, whom we should thank God for every day.  And Pharaoh, whom we should also thank God for and probably pray for their souls every day.    They were used by God.  They were key players.  They did not seek out His plan for the world and seek to be part of it.  So God used them anyway.  Which is your role model you aspire to be?  (the question is to those who argue you aren't to do works...) 

So, regarding works, it seems to be a doctrine that goes something like this.... 

You are saved by Grace, through faith, not works, so you can't boast. 

If you have faith, you will have works. 

Thus. 

If you don't have works, you don't have faith. 
If you don't have faith, your claim to Grace is about like Galahad's to Knighthood above.... illegimate. 

Without Grace you aren't saved.  

Works don't save you.  But if you are saved you better have works.  You were hired on to be a tool.  Best be that tool. 

Through works God matures us spiritually and teaches us Spiritually.  Eph 4:11-17.  

So if you refuse to do the works you refuse spiritual growth. 

The word for love, AGAPAO/AGAPE requires an action be associated with it.  Those would be works. If there is no presentation/demonstration/action with the emotion, the claim to agape is a lie. 

If you don't love neighbor, He's not in you and you aren't in Him.  That person isn't saved as I understand it.  1 j 4:16-18. 

Not only is the sincere love that reacts with action important, but it must be complete.  Matt 5:48. 

Matt 5 is a discussion/lecture on how to love correctly.  Jesus explains His father, God loves even His enemies.  Not only that but that love manifests in providence for His enemies.  
Jesus commands you to love as completely as God the Father loves.  That means even to providence/action. 

Paul says the most theological argument of His day was not important but faith WORKING through love was. 

So, accept the free gift of salvation.  And realize you sold your sole to LORD Jesus, not Santa Claus Jesus.  Find the works/talents/gifts you have been given and put them in operation.  Only through acting on and applying your faith will you grow into what HE wishes you to mature to be.