James 2:24 KJV
[24] “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.”
D.L. Moody said, “Every Bible should be bound in shoe leather”. This statement had nothing to do with Moody’s past as a shoe salesman, but it was about his devotion to the Lord. Like Abraham of old, he was not saved by faith plus works but by faith that worked! Faith will produce obedience in the life of a believer. The works they do will reveal their faith.
I once knew a man who was a drunkard. He beat his wife and children regularly. I can remember as a child being afraid of him. We would go over to his house on the weekends because he was one of my father’s drinking buddies. As night came, he became intoxicated, and you could see the anger that alcohol would produce in him. He would boil with furry over the smallest of things.
One day he stopped by our house and told us how he had gotten saved and quit drinking. He started going to church with his family. He was so sweet to his wife and kind to his children. I never saw that man lose his temper again. Some years later, I was in a church service with him, and he stood and began to testify. I sat in amazement as the tears streamed down his face and fell off his chin. I could not believe how a man who was so full of hatred, anger, and alcohol was now full of joy, peace, and love. No one needed to convince me that he was a new creature in Christ because I could see his faith shining through his works. No one could have changed his heart but the Lord.
Friend, this is what real salvation can do for a man. It can melt the heart of stone and fill it with liquid love for Jesus Christ. It will cause a man to say goodbye to a life of sin and follow a new life serving his Master. It will unlock the chains of sin and set a man’s spirit free for all to see!