True faith and works

⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰ 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

These verses seem to contradict each other. In verses 8 and 9 salvation is a gift from God, which comes from faith. But in verse 10 we speak of works.

If we consider John 2

¹⁴ What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? ¹⁵ Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. ¹⁶ 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? ¹⁷ In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

James 2: 14-17

these verses seem to affirm salvation through works.

Actually, this is not a contradiction. In fact, works are nothing but a fruit of true faith.

When we trust Jesus, the same faith that saves us transforms us.

Consider a person who changes behavior. This change can be temporary or permanent. If one changes only one’s behavior but not one’s way of thinking, this change is only temporary.

If one changes the way one thinks, one’s actions will also change. The change of actions, is generated by a change of thought.

⁴⁸ There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day.

John 12:48

If you have accepted Jesus’ words, you have believed that his teachings are the best for you. This is what brings the works we are talking about.

Let’s make an analogy: if a house is on fire, you’ll tell people who are inside to get out. Let’s just say these people can’t see the flames. When you tell them, if they believe you, they’ll leave the house, If they don’t believe you they will stay there.

Depending on what they think, they will act accordingly, according to what they think is best for them.

They’ll say, “Thanks for warning me,” and walk out. Or: “There is no fire, why should I leave the house?”