Faith and works?

Therefore, since there is no longer law, there is no longer works of law. The only works that remain are works of faith and works of unbelief. Not believing and doing what Jesus and the apostles said/wrote is unbelief that produces works of the flesh. Believing and doing their words produces works of faith and the spirit.

Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure;
but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God, but in works they
deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. Titus 1:15-16

James tells us that faith without works is dead. Jesus did not save us so that we could live as if nothing happened after we were saved. Works do not save us, but they are the outward expression of an inward event.

Those who have read some of my previous posts know that I do not see slavish obedience to the Law or self effort to save us. Not at all. Jesus saves as we put our trust and confidence in Him. However, to be born again is to undergo a transformation that changes the very core of our being, the spirit. That transformation on the inside needs to become the motivation for our whole lives

This is a process. Some advance quickly, some are very slow. Fundamentally, it depends on our willingness to change. Not everyone wants to change. Some see their fallen and defeated state more clearly than others. Some seek to hold onto their personality because they fear what might happen if they let go. It's messy. However, Jesus has set Himself the task of changing us from glory to glory and that He will do, one way or another.

So what have works got to do with it? Everything. That is God's plan for us. It should be our way of life.

"For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life." Ephesians 2:10

God works in us so that we can work for the Kingdom of God. God initiates, inspires and empowers us, yet He rewards us for simply obeying His calling! And there is great joy in obedience in this life as well.

If you plant an apple tree, sooner or later you expect to have a crop of apples. They may not be the finest of apples, but they are better than a barren tree. If you have no crop, there is something wrong with the tree. It is effectively dead.It is of no use to anyone.

If nothing changes in our lives, then we must question our born again experience. Just weeks after I was born again, I met a man that I had a dispute with once. He swindled me in a card game. My bad, I should not have been gambling. He saw a change in me that I did not. He said that I was the happiest man that he'd ever met. That's what Jesus in us is even to unbelievers. I had no words except that he could be as happy if he accepted Christ.

"Good works" is not a burden we must bear to pay for our salvation. The yoke Jesus offers is easy and His burden is light. He never asks us to something without giving us the enabling to do that work. Even if it costs us in time or money, we will be rewarded one way or another. When we pray, "Your will be done", God says to us that He wants His will to be performed through us. That is abundant life in experience.