there are plenty who claim to have faith but don't back it up with good works. If I had my choice, I'd prefer one who did good works without faith than one who had faith without good works -- the first helps people, the second doesn't. And the parable of the good Samaritan tells which on Christ prefers, too.
-- Dave K, Speakeasy Moderator
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The textual differences between faith alone and works, as the Apostle Paul describes them in scripture, are distinguished expressly by their opposable disposition alone. Their juxtaposition in the inspired text serve only to demonstrate the inherent conflict of principal between the doctrine of faith for salvation and works that are the Christian endeavor, that one may prove to others and affirm for themselves what they profess to be true.Therefore works are the result of faith.
This is important to understand for religions such as the Jehovah's Witnesses and others who adhere to a works-based salvation. Work-based religions tend to try to resolve the apparent contradiction of faith and works by reconciling the fact that scripture say's both that salvation is by faith alone, but that faith alone is dead without works.
But the inspired writers of the Bible never meant for us to try to reconcile their differences. On the contrary, by allowing this conflict within us to provoke the self-realization of our own sinfulness, we come to Christ by faith in what He has done on the cross and in His Resurrection.
We are powerless to do good because we are inherently sinful. If there is no conflict, the human/religious paradox (the willingness to do good but not the power to carry it out) can never be resolved. Paul and many millions more have resolved the conflict through their own personal struggle. It is all based squarely on the theological premise that unregenerate, religious man is hopelessly and incurably lost in his sin apart from faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
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