What do the apostolic words “faith without works is dead” mean? What works are referred to here? #

The Apostle James wrote these words when explaining in his epistle how a person is justified before God. At that time, an idea had already appeared in Christianity that simply believing in Christ was sufficient for the salvation of the soul, allowing one to live however they pleased, without observing commandments or following any restrictions. The Apostle James rightly points out that even the demons believe in the existence of the one true God and tremble. However, this faith is of no benefit to them.

The same applies to people. If a person merely professes belief in God, acknowledges the existence of a single Deity, or even confesses the Holy Trinity and recognizes the Lord Jesus Christ, but this faith brings no real change to their life, then this faith cannot justify them before God. What works are being referred to? There is a concept called “works of faith.” First and foremost, works of faith include abstaining from sin and cultivating virtues.

Sins are manifold, and there is no one on earth who has never sinned. However, a truly faithful person, even if they sin, hates sin and strives to overcome it. As for virtues, no matter how many there are, they are summed up in the two commandments spoken by Christ: love for God and love for one’s neighbor. Later, St. Paul the Apostle wrote:

“And above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness."
(Colossians 3:14)

Thus, one can say that for faith to be alive, one must actively love God and people while hating sin. In practice, this love manifests itself in various ways: through prayer, almsgiving, modesty, forgiveness of enemies, and sacrificial service to God and others. A person who loves God will not blaspheme or spread heretical teachings about the Deity, slander God’s servants, or bring disgrace to God’s Church. Similarly, one who loves their neighbor will not cause suffering to those they love but will instead care for them and help them in all their hardships and difficulties. The list of virtues can be very long, or it can be succinctly summarized in the two commandments of love for God and love for people.

—Priest Mikhail Rodin.