Doing Is Not Being – And Being Results In The Fruit Of Faith – Good Works

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” – Ephesians 2:10 

If those who are born again are committed to following Jesus, then they have a devotion to Jesus and therefore to the Father, that is evidenced in how they live and how they treat others.  There is one aspect of our new life that is invisible to the people around us and is only visible to God.  That is the condition of our hearts.  Our hearts are to be wholly devoted to the Father.  As you may well know, it is possible to attend church, put on your happy face, listen to sermons, and sing worship songs and all the while have a divided heart.  The Bible warns us about such people. 

“These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.” – Matthew 15:8-9 

“Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.” – 2 Timothy 3:5-7 

Many people who go to church and are involved in church activities are convinced that “doing” is the same as “being”.  They practice the Christian religion, embrace the teachings but lack the devotion to the Cornerstone of the Church.  They may go to the altar every Sunday morning and still be spiritually ignorant and far from God.  They lack understanding and they lack commitment to their faith … that is , if they even have a saving faith.  The demons know who Jesus is, but they don’t serve Him.  They have another master.  

“You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!” – James 2:19 

For many Christians, their hearts that were once alive toward God have become hardened toward spiritual things in favor of those things that satisfy the flesh.  They go through the motions .. say the right things .. but serve themselves and not the risen Lord.  Sound harsh?  The truth often does because truth brings conviction and conviction brings discomfort and brings us to the point of decision.  Will I respond to the Truth or will I ignore it and choose to continue on the vain journey I am pursuing? 

What am I saying?  Friends, we need to be on our guard or before we know it .. those people .. will become “we the people”.  I must examine myself and my devotion every day.  I have to keep my flesh in check.  The only way that we can glorify the Father is by being spiritually “right” and devoted to His will in every aspect of our lives.  You must be careful that you do not relegate your spirituality to Sunday morning.  We are Christians 24x7 into eternity. 

Your works will not result in faith.  Our old nature believes that.  But, it is faith that produces works.  The fruit of faith is good works.