I think here's the problem...for some reason, many people view faith and works as separate things...faith is something internal..belief, trust, etc. Works is defined as "something we do". But really, isn't works just faith manifest?
Let's look at the Bible.
On one hand, it says:
we are saved by grace, through faith, not by works so that no one can boast
we are not saved by the Law
etc.
On the other hand, there's:
the sheep and the goats
"faith without works is dead"
we're
not saved by faith alone
loving God = obeying His commands
who perseveres to the end will be saved
Look what Jesus said:
"
Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and
puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."
So how do we put all this together?
Well it makes no sense if we separate faith and works like this.... Here's what I think the Bible is saying:
We are saved entirely by grace...this grace is given to us through faith, and we are not under the OT Law... but if we claim to have faith and yet are not repenting of sin (literally: turning away from sin..changing our lives..) how can that be faith? Faith without works is dead. Our works don't save us, but yes they are involved in our salvation. Does this seem like a contradiction? Well you see,
faith doesn't save us either. Only Christ saves us....it's all God!!
but we accept this salvation by having a living faith. So yes, it is important how we live our lives...if we remain our 'old selves' but believe we are saved just because we agree that Christ died for our sins...we are deluding ourselves. Christ's righteousness must become part of us..that is the whole point. We're unworthy, but He died for us to
make us worthy....we must be transformed by grace to enter heaven.
Am I going to 'boast in my works' before God on Judgement day? I sincerely hope not!! I know that my works would never be enough! All my hope would be in Christ. But if I have absolutely no works...that means that my faith was dead all along...that means that I wasn't living according to my faith!! We're saved by faith but works are the evidence of it, so yes they are pretty important!! And since they are also the result of grace, REAL faith-based works are always done for the right motives..out of love for God.
Hope this makes sense.
God bless
monica
I just typed up two posts for you about that LOL! 
Hello brothers and sisters..
