# 8 – The Plan, the Provision, and Works of Faith

2) Help others do the works of faith

photo credit: Dean Williams 2012

God decided to wipe out all corrupt flesh (Gen. 6:12, 13). Yet, God’s grace made provision for one righteous man, Noah. Once God did this, Noah became a participant in the plan, not a bystander. Thus, Noah had to work out his salvation with works of faith—called ark-building.

But what if Noah had decided to just “have faith” in God’s provision, and did nothing that the works of faith required?? Would his bystander-mentality still have saved him and his family? Or, would God have let him perish, along with his dead faith? Doesn’t Scripture say that faith without works is dead, being alone (James 2:17)?

The last days’ catastrophic events are to once again purge the earth of corrupt flesh. Have we bothered to do our own ark-building? For example, have we grown in grace*, cast off the works of darkness*, put on Christ*, and been diligent to be found of God in peace—without spot—and blameless*? These are works of faith. If we believe for the rapture, yet have done nothing of the works of faith to prepare ourselves for it, then our faith is dead.

Moreover, if we do nothing to work out our precious salvation, nor accompany our faith with works to inherit the promises, we are lazy believers (Heb. 6:1-12)! God has yet to retract or change his plan for lazy fools. Ready or not, even Jesus will not open the door for fools when the time comes (Matt. 25:1-12).

Like Father, like Son.

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*2 Pet. 3:18; Rom. 13:12; Rom. 13:14; 2 Pet. 3:14, respectively - Scriptures from The King James Version of the bible.