Many consider "works" to be a cuss word in the evangelical world. However, in the world of the Bible this should not be so. "Works" are very much a part of genuine faith from God, which is a gift.
There is a “faith” with works and there is a “faith” without works. Faith without works is not from God, it is not a gift, it is a curse. Faith with works is a working faith.
James 2:17 KJV — Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
James 2:18 KJV — Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
My faith works! Does yours?
There is a difference between a devil's faith (believe) and a man who has received the gift of faith from God.
(Gift - Read Romans 5-6, Ephesians 2)
James 2:19-20 KJV — Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
The manifestation of a saving faith is a working faith. If your "faith" does not work, it is dead.
James 2:21-22 KJV — Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
Faith from God truly believes to the point of friendship, sonship, and perfection in Christ.
James 2:23 KJV — And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
True faith consists of belief, repentance, and works. Faith without these combined fruits is not faith from God. Belief without repentance and works is not faith from God. Repentance without belief and works is not faith from God. Works without belief and repentance is not faith from God. Faith from God believes, repents, and works!
James 2:24 KJV — Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Bottom line is, if you have faith from God it is alive and it works.
James 2:26 KJV — For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Kathleen2005 on Gab inquired,
how does (it) work?
Answer: Through all who are born again (saved).
John 3:7 KJV — Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
Peter Crosby on Gab replied,
As I understand it, with our gift of faith from God comes the desire to do good works. If the desire to do good works is a result of our God given gift of faith, then it stands to reason that our faith should be a working faith.
Answer: Faith really is a surrender of our will to the will of God. It is at this point of submission that He "works" through us. Our works by themselves and in themselves are nothing but filthy rags.
Isaiah 64:6 KJV — But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
2 Timothy 1:9 KJV — Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
Titus 3:5 KJV — Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Salvation is all of God!
Psalms 37:39 KJV But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.
And, if you are saved you know you are saved. As for the term “saved,” Paul had no problem with the term and neither do I.
1 Corinthians 1:18 KJV For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
Now you know why I preach the cross.
Romans 10:9-10 KJV — That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.