There are many people I know who tell me that they believe in Jesus, yet they never change their sinful ways. In fact, most Christians today are able to study the Bible with ease. Why is it that very few Christians practice what they are being taught?
Your question is best answered by understanding the relationship between “faith†and “worksâ€, from a Biblical point of view. God, in His Word, the Bible, clearly says that a person is saved by “faithâ€, not by “works†(Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5). And yet, on the other hand, God promotes the concept of “works†being an evidence of salvation.
So, there are those who say they have had “faith†in Christ, but don’t evidence this with faithful “worksâ€, thus they are unbelievers Christ calls “hypocrites†(Matthew 15:7-9). These people need to be genuinely saved and Christ continues to invite them to place real “faith†in Him as Savior and Lord (John3:16-18).
Then there are those who say they have had “faith†in Christ and actually do evidence this with faithful “worksâ€, thus they are true believers Christ calls “brethren†(2 Thessalonians 1:3-4). These people are to continue in their faithfulness to Christ and bring glory to Him with good “works†done in His name (Philippians 2:12-16).
Finally, there are those who say they have had “faith†in Christ and initially evidence this with faithful “worksâ€, but sometime afterwards, they don’t display “works†on a regular basis, thus are true believers Christ calls “carnal†(1 Corinthians 3:1-3). These people need to respond to the loving chastisement of Christ, repent of their carnality, and be restored to a life of good “works†that evidence their “faith†(Romans 12:1-2)
In this regard, the great call of God’s Word to believers is found in James 1:22, “But be doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.†So, pray for those who are deceived and need to evidence their “faith†with “worksâ€. Also, for yourself, ask God for love and patience as you encounter those who don’t evidence their salvation. Let God use you as an agent of gracious witness to them of how “faith†and “works†go together to make for an abundant Christian life!