Dear Brent,
Salvation is by grace through faith. This is true for all time. The "good works" are the works prepared by God that we should walk in in them. We should each attempt to walk in His truth. Our faith is proved or tested according to our striving to understand and follow after the will of God.(Eph 5:17)
Throughout the OT, the Acts (including James) and in the prison epistles, believers are told to "prove" their faith and work, i.e. walk. God tests or "proves" us by searching our hearts and minds. As believers, we also should prove our own faith and work so that we may be approved unto God.
The only thing required for salvation is belief, but because we love and believe in Him, why would we not desire to walk in truth and prove what is acceptable to God?
Examples:
Psalms 26:2,3 (prove= test, try, put to the proof)
Examine me, O Lord, and PROVE me; try my reins [innermost thoughts], and my heart. For Thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in Thy truth.
In the following verses, whether translated "prove" or "approve", the meaning is the same = to test,accept,try, deem worthy, examine, scrutinize (to see whether a thing is genuine or not)
Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may PROVE what is the good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.
2Cor 13:5
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; PROVE your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
Galatians 6:4,5
But let every man PROVE his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden.
Eph 5:8-10
For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) PROVING what is acceptable unto the Lord.
Philippians 1:10
That ye may APPROVE things that are excellent.
2Tim 2:15
Study to show thyself APPROVED unto God, A WORKMAN that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
1Th 5:21
PROVE all things; hold fast that which is good.
Lynn
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