The moment the Holy Spirit opened our hearts to salvation, Jesus called us out of the darkness and into His marvelous kingdom of light (Ephesians 1:13–14; Colossians 1:13; 1 Peter 2:9). A new unalterable reality has dawned in our lives (James 1:18). Because of this great gift of salvation, the Holy Spirit transforms our hearts, giving us new desires to glorify God through loving our neighbors. Behind the “works” that James wrote about is always a heart of love. Because we have been loved by God, our faith produces works of love, and by our works of love, the world will know that we are Jesus’ disciples (John 13:34–35).

Why is a good work never truly good without being done out of love for God and others?