Fueled by FaithSample

Day 5 - Faith produces works.

In today’s devotion, we will discuss the way true faith will produce works. One of the most common misunderstandings about James is that it describes a faith that is based on works. Do not be deceived; we are saved by grace, through faith. James tells us how, if we have true faith, our faith will produce works. For example, one of the most common signs of genuine faith is the desire to rid oneself of sin. Before I had a true relationship with Christ, I was not upset by the sin that I had in my life. However, as soon as I had true faith, I found that I was not interested in the sin that I had once enjoyed. In fact, I remember how, before I did anything else, I went and threw out anything that I should not have possessed as a man of God. That does not mean that I do not stumble, nor does it mean that I do not sin. However, my faith is evident by my desire to repent of my sin and to become more like Christ.

There are many people who say that they are Christians, yet they continue to live lives of sin. I am not going to judge whether or not those people are truly Christians, as that is up to God to judge. However, I can tell you that a person’s faith should produce works. James 2 tells us that our faith is dead if it does not produce works.

Another important example of the works that are produced by faith comes from Galatians 5:22-23. As we walk by the Spirit, we will see the Holy Spirit work in and through us. Our faith should produce the “fruit of the Spirit”, which is (in my opinion) the greatest sign of genuine faith. Notice how I describe the fruit of the Spirit as a sign, rather than a group of signs. There is a debate about whether Paul writes about a single fruit, or about more than one fruit. In my understanding, the Greek word used in Galatians 5:22-23 is karpos (καρπός), which is a singular noun. Therefore, we can reasonably conclude that the fruit of the Spirit is a single fruit, comprised of nine parts. By walking with God, we should see all the fruit of the Spirit being produced in us, not just one or two (or even three). Genuine faith will produce works.

REFLECTION:

1. How has your faith produced works?
2. Have you seen the fruit of the Spirit in yourself?
3. Has the Holy Spirit ever pointed out something in your life that needed to be changed? What happened when you obeyed the Holy Spirit?