Matthew 7:16-20 “You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.”
No Fruit, no faith. James is not saying that the addition of deeds brings faith. Deeds are the overflow of faith!
“If we give God service it must be because He gives us grace. We work for Him because He works in us.” C.H. Spurgeon
Faith Provides For Others v.15
If you have no concern for others, you have no concern for Jesus. That’s a bold statement! Listen to Matthew 25:35-36 “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.”
What is Jesus’ response in the second part of verse 40? “as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”
We are not motivated by guilt! We are motivated by the gospel! We are so consumed by His glory that we can’t help but be moved to compassion for His people.
“As soon as a man has found Christ, he begins to find others.” C.H. Spurgeon
Faith Prompts Movement vv.18-20
Two ways to live:
1. Maintain- All is well in my comfortable life, no change necessary. Dead Faith, not saved!
2. Movement- I’ve got to reach more for Christ, I’ve got to change myself, endure change, in order to change the world. Alive Faith, Saved!
You cannot be truly gripped by the cross and not be moved to action!
We must change the stereotype of the Christian! Let us be marked by action.
Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
John 14:12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.”
God may we produce a great movement prompted by your glory! A light, a beacon that beckons mankind to your throne!
“Religion today is not transforming people; rather it is being transformed by the people. It is not raising the moral level of society; it is descending to society’s own level, and congratulating itself that it has scored a victory because society is smilingly accepting its surrender.” A.W. Tozer
We must begin a movement and not fall prey to maintain the ways of this world!
Faith Promises Followers vv.21-26
Those who do the most for the kingdom, see God the most! They’ve tasted and have seen His glory, fell in love with His presence, and as a result are willing to do whatever He ask. That’s why Abraham was able to offer Isaac.
Read chapter 11 of Hebrews! Their faith was marked by action!
Hebrews 12:1-2 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
True saving faith promises that we will be followers who:
1. repent- lay aside sin
2. work- run with endurance the race that is set before us
3. focus- look to Jesus