Faith Working Through Love: Bearing Fruit

Believers know that obedience to God is part of what it means to be a child of God. The Apostle John says, “Whoever says ‘I know him’ but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” (1 John 2:4) Jesus himself says, “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love.” (John 15:10) We dare not separate obedience from faith; we dare not teach a distortion of grace that fails to lead to obedience.

The Apostle Paul does not separate faith from obedience but argues that faith alone makes us right with God through the obedience (righteousness) of another. He further argues that obedience, even for believers, is not something they can produce through their efforts to obey the law of God. The Spirit who gave us new-life is one who bears the fruit of righteousness in our lives. Jesus himself said, “Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

The works of the flesh are the product of the sinful desires of the flesh while the fruit of the Spirit is the product of the righteousness of the Spirit.

So, join us Sunday as we consider the work of the Spirit in our lives to bear fruit to God.