In the eyes of God, a life of faith is inseparable from a life of good works. As Jesus taught in Matthew, believers are to let their light shine before others, so that they may see their good deeds and glorify their Father in heaven. The apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians that believers are created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for them to do. The book of James emphasizes that faith without works is dead, illustrating this point with the example of a person in need who is only given words, but no action to help. Ultimately, good works are a natural outflow of salvation, as Ephesians makes clear that believers are saved by faith, not by works, but created for a life of purpose and service.
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In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.
What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that? So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead.
For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.
Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men, because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
But someone will say, “You have faith and I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.
Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Then they inquired, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” Jesus replied, “The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent.”