Faith/Works

I would like to suggest we change the word Works for the word Fruit in James. I would like to suggest that the works that Jesus expects in our lives are not the civic organization type of good works (although there is nothing wrong with Civic organization works).

I would like to suggest that the Greater Works life style Jesus expects from us is not the type of works we can boast in.

In other words the works He is expecting from us are not something we come up with on our own but flow out of a relationship with the Father through the Holy Spirit.

His life is formed in us in a process that is more organic than sweat. And the word Jesus uses to describe the process is the word Fruit.

Now fruit sure looks like works. The main difference is the process by which they are accomplished.

Fruit, is the natural result of an abiding relationship in the Father, made available to every believer through the cross and fleshed out in the power of our promise, the Holy Spirit. The Life of Jesus was a life lived in the closest of fellowship with the Father and empowered through the Spirit.

And the good news is that it is also our promise as sons and daughters.

I believe James was describing a life filled with the Holy Spirit, a life that didn’t just profess something but a life of faith evidenced by its fruit.

Show me your faith without fruit… I will show you my faith with fruit…

Just saying…