Three scientists—Papaia, Banani, Ravioli—and their assistant Igor, after a series of troubles, finally arrive at the famous dark matter conference. However, Ravioli, disobeying a plumber at work, uses an out-of-service restroom, causing a flood at the conference center and causing the conference to be canceled.
Now, on the return flight, the scientists are discussing theology.
Banani: But then, is it enough just to believe in Jesus and then I can do whatever I want? Isn’t that also an injustice?
Ravioli: No, because true faith transforms a person’s life! Listen to what James 2:14-22 says:
> “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds.’ Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.” (James 2:14-22)
Banani: Wait, now I don’t understand anything! First, you said we are saved only by faith, but here James says that deeds are also necessary! Which one is true?
Ravioli: Both, if you understand them the right way! We are saved only by faith, but true faith naturally produces good works. Look at what Ephesians 2:8-10 says:
> “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:8-10)
Banani: So, we’re not saved by works, but we are saved, and our works reflect our transformation?
Ravioli: Exactly! Works don’t earn us salvation, but they are the natural consequence of genuine faith. Anyone who truly believes in Jesus can’t remain the same because God’s love transforms their life! While even those who don’t believe can do many good works, those works cannot save them!
Igor: Faith in Jesus as our leader saves us from an eternity of torment… but when the leader is Papaia… Well! The torment starts right away… and it lasts a long time!