James 2.22 observes faith was perfected by works. The half-brother of the Lord Jesus encouraged the Church to prove their faith by their works.

Faith without works is really no faith at all he taught.

The message of salvation by grace through faith and not by works has been so thoroughly taught that people now believe that pleasing God is only a matter of faith without regard to deeds.

While it is true man cannot earn his way into heaven by doing good, if he could, God would not have needed to enter our world and offer Himself as a sacrifice for sin on the cross. It is also true that God is a holy God who requires not only belief in Him but obedience to Him.

God has commanded that we love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength which He said is demonstrated through obedience to His commands.

Faith that does not prove itself by obedience is mere belief in God no different from the devil who also believes but whose end is condemnation into the fire of eternal torment along with all those who fail to obey God in Jesus Christ.

The great saints have all demonstrated their faith by their great works and we too are expected to do the same by sacrificing self and possessions in order to help others come to love God as we also love Him.

The Church is in desperate need of diligent works not earning their salvation but proving their salvation.