How do faith and works relate in a Christian's life?

James 2:26 illustrates that faith without works is dead, emphasizing that authentic faith produces genuine responses. While we affirm that we are not saved by works, salvation through faith brings about a transformative change in a believer's heart. In Galatians 5:6, Paul distinguishes that true faith works through love, indicating that the works we perform spring from a heart transformed by Christ's love. This means that, while our standing before God rests solely on Christ and not our acts, the evidence of true faith is shown through our willingness to obey and serve out of gratitude and love, rather than obligation.