As James 2:17 reminds us, "Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." This truth has been resonating with me lately. It's not just about what we believe, but how that belief transforms our daily actions and choices.
Jesus beautifully illustrated this in Matthew 7:16-17: "By their fruit you will recognize them... Every good tree bears good fruit." When our faith is alive and vibrant, it naturally produces evidence in our lives:
- A deepening love for others
- Growing patience in difficult situations
- Increasing generosity of spirit
- Peace that persists through challenges
- Joy that doesn't depend on circumstances
The wonderful thing about bearing good fruit is that it's not about striving or performing. Rather, it flows naturally from staying connected to Christ, just as He taught us in John 15:5: "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit."
I've found that when I focus less on the fruit itself and more on nurturing my relationship with Christ, the evidence of faith appears organically in my life. It's like a garden - our role is to stay rooted in good soil and connected to the source of life; the fruit comes naturally.
So, don't let anyone tell you that you don't need works to accompany your faith, because aligning ourselves with the good works that Christ has prepared for us before he formed us in the womb is evidence of our love for, and faith in God.