"Faith without works is dead" but there is no salvation just through 'works'. There are Christian churches, usually of a liberal persuasion, which have not seemed to grasp this point.'Gospel' means 'Good News' - and this refers to the fact that there is the guarantee of salvation for which Christ has paid the price already.
'Salvation' means 'being saved'. There is a God-rejecting world who are tumbling rapidly towards hell. This is a guarantee for those who do not invite Jesus into their lives.
So, Christians simply working for the unfortunate is socially useful but spiritually worthless against this backcloth.
Those who work for their communities and demonstrate the love of Christ whilst reaching out to the lost, have got the balance right.
Consider the Eden Project in Manchester where Christians drafted into one of the worst areas of the city to live have transformed the place through practical love and the presentation of the Gospel.
LINK: http://www.message.org.uk/edenproject.cfm
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