He further adds that it is not profitable to say we have faith and do not perform works, and that the best way to show our faith is by our works:
"What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works; shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." (James 2: 14-19).
ANOTHER EVIDENCE OF FAITH.
True faith can be recognized by another proof or test. When it is obtained it causes its possessor to be very humble. It is always accompanied with humility. It convinces its possessor that he is a sinner, and he feels penitent.
THE SECOND RULE—REPENTANCE.
Repentance is the second rule or principle of the Gospel of Christ. It naturally follows faith in God and Jesus Christ. True faith leads to repentance of sin as one step up a ladder leads to the next.
MEANING OF REPENTANCE.
According to the teachings of the scriptures, to repent means to feel sorrow for sins committed and to turn away from them; that is to do them no more. St. Paul, in writing to the Corinthian saints, says to them concerning their repentance:
"Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of; but the sorrow of the world worketh death." (II Corinthians 7: 9, 10).