Faith and works together bring life!

“Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (James 2:17 NKJV)

A ferryman had the word “faith” painted on one oar and the word “work” on the other. He was asked the reason he did this, and he replied by showing rather than by words. He laid the oar that had “work” painted on it in the bottom of the skiff, took the oar that had “faith” on it, and with both hands pulled with all his strength, and the boat went round and round in a circle. Then he placed "faith" oar in the bottom of the skiff and took up "work" oar with both hands, with the same result, the boat just went in a circle rather than going straight forward. Then he took the "faith" oar in one hand, and the "work" oar in the other, and pulled with both hands together, and the skiff moved straight ahead and forward where he needed it to go. 

It takes both faith and works in the Christian life

“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (James 2:14-17 ESV)

“But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” (James 2:18 ESV