James 2:26 “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
In this verse, James brings out a very important point. True believers in Christ know that works cannot save anyone, as Paul says in Gal. 2:16: “for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”
Every one that is saved has been made a new creature in Christ (II Corinthians 5:17). As a result, the old way of life should be disappearing more and more and we should be becoming more and more like our Savior.
When an earthbound caterpillar is changed into a butterfly, there ought to be some evidence of change. Things it could not do before, it can do now. An obvious example is that it now has a set of wings that enable it to fly. It is also more beautiful than it was before.
As a Christian, you have also been given a set of spiritual wings, as it were, to be able to escape the constant downward pull of the world, the flesh, and the devil. Romans 6:14 confirms this: “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”
God has given in His Word many promises that can help us live a new life – with new power over sin, Satan, and self. II Peter 1:4 tells us: “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”
When the believer uses those promises and gets victory over sin and the world, God is pleased. He sees the image of His Son in you and it is a beautiful sight to Him and He can bless you for it.
What are the things that God wants to see in you? First, He wants to see the fruit of the Spirit in you Galatians 5:22, 23). Second, He wants to see the “fruit of righteousness” in you (James 3:18). Third, God has “chosen” and “ordained” each believer to bring forth the fruit of souls to Him (John 15:16).
Now that you are a “new creature” – is God pleased with your new fruit and works? Or, are you claiming “faith” but have no works to prove it?