Works and Faith

The lesson asks whether mere faith suffices for salvation and answers no. It cites Matthew 7:21: “Not everyone that saith unto Me Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father.”

It also cites James 2:26: “Faith without works is dead.” The lesson concludes that the perfection of religion is attained by faith and works together, though never apart from the aid of the grace of God.

Good deeds are defined as every inward or outward action good and pleasing to God which the faithful are bound by divine law to perform.

Evil deeds are every inward or outward action opposed to God's holiness, which the believer is bound by law to avoid.

The believer requires knowledge, free will, and always the grace of God, which helps the willing and diligent in the way of obedience. Therefore every believer should ask for this grace in prayer so as to behave according to the religious law.