If you have been around religion very long, you know there can be tension over the connection of faith and works. Are we saved by faith or by works? If we are saved by works, can we lose our salvation by not working? If we are saved by faith, do we have to have works? What works count? Giving money, time and possessions? Helping the poor? Delivering from oppression? Meeting orphans and widows in their needs? The lists go on and on. On this subject of faith and works, Hebrews 11 fits quite nicely with the book of James. We are reminded that the simple phrase, “The just shall live by faith,” means what it says. Those who are justified by faith will live by faith, and that faith will result in works of righteousness. If we drink poison, we will get sick and maybe die. If we have saving faith, we will do works of righteousness. Our context will be the opportunity to exercise that faith. If we live among the poor, our faith will be demonstrated in the way we provide. If we live among the ornery, our faith will be demonstrated by forgiveness. If we live among the lost, our faith will be demonstrated by sharing the gospel. All these examples in Hebrews 11 are to remind us that faith works righteousness. The tension is minimized when we realize that faith and works are one. Faith and righteousness go together. The just shall live by faith.