"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."
James 2: 18

There was an old man who operated a rowboat for ferrying passengers between an island and the mainland. One day a passenger noticed that he had painted on one oar the word "Works," and on the other oar the word "Faith." Curiosity 
led him to ask the meaning of this. 



The old man replied, "I will show you," dropping one oar, rowing only with the oar named "Works." Of course, the boat just went around in circles. Then he switched oars, picking up "Faith" and dropping "Works." And the little rowboat went around in circles again-this time in the opposite direction. 



After this demonstration, the old man picked up both oars "Faith" and "Works," and rowing with both oars together, swiftly coursed over the water. He looked at the passenger and said, "You see, that is the way it is in life, as well as in rowing a boat. You got to keep both oars in the water, otherwise, you'll just go around in circles."


This example explains in a practical way the necessity of faith plus works. We must have faith, and if it is real, we will have works in our life. Faith without works is said to be "dead faith" and of no value. Works do not save us, but when mixed with faith, we will be fruitful for God's glory. When we have both faith and works, we can go forward in God's strength and power. 


The key to success and to all our problems is found in the Lord Jesus Christ, not in men, or the things of this world. We must have the right key if we want success.
It has been said that prayer is the key to heaven and faith unlocks the door. Faith plus works is a living faith which can accomplish what God intends in His plan for man. When God opens the door to the future for us, we can walk through it knowing that God has plans for us
to give us an expected future. His plans are good and not evil. Trusting fully in Him is the key to victory in all things. Our answers to all of life's problems are found in Christ our Savior.


May our hearts let the Lord give us a new desire to work for Him by obeying His Word and being good stewards of all He has blessed us with. Works without faith accomplish nothing. We are to examine ourselves and be sure we are in
the faith. Thanks to our Lord for being a God on whom we can depend. We know Jesus will always be there for us, when on His name we call. He came that we might have a more abundant life. As we walk in the Spirit by faith, we find God will work in our lives. Faith really works! By faith, we can touch the Lord and know that His hand of mercy is always with us.


A special thanks to our Sister-In-Christ Jo Ann Kelly for use of her inspirational writings © 2010, 2005. You may contact by email to thank her. God Bless you for sharing your talents.