Topical Bible: Faith: True, Evidenced by Its Fruits

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Topical Encyclopedia

Faith, within the Christian tradition, is a foundational element of the believer's relationship with God. It is not merely an intellectual assent to doctrines but a living, active trust in God and His promises. True faith is evidenced by its fruits, manifesting in the believer's life through actions, attitudes, and spiritual growth.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible consistently emphasizes that genuine faith is demonstrated through actions. James 2:17 states, "So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead." This passage underscores the necessity of works as the natural outflow of true faith. The Apostle Paul echoes this sentiment in Galatians 5:6 , where he writes, "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. All that matters is faith, expressed through love."

Fruits of the Spirit

The fruits of the Spirit, as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23 , are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These attributes are the evidence of the Holy Spirit's work in a believer's life and are the natural result of a faith that is alive and active. Jesus Himself taught that a tree is known by its fruit, as recorded in Matthew 7:16-20 , emphasizing that true discipleship is evidenced by the fruit it bears.

Examples of Faith in Action

The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals whose faith was evidenced by their actions. Abraham, known as the father of faith, demonstrated his trust in God by his willingness to sacrifice Isaac, as recounted in Genesis 22. Hebrews 11:17-19 commends Abraham's faith, stating, "By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac. He who had received the promises was ready to offer his one and only son, even though God had said to him, 'Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.'"

Similarly, the faith of Rahab, a Canaanite woman, was evidenced by her actions in hiding the Israelite spies, as noted in Joshua 2 and commended in Hebrews 11:31 : "By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies in peace, did not perish with those who were disobedient."

Faith and Obedience

True faith is intrinsically linked to obedience. Jesus taught that those who love Him will keep His commandments (John 14:15). This obedience is not a means to earn salvation but a response to the grace and love received through faith. The Apostle John reiterates this in 1 John 2:3-6 , emphasizing that knowing God is evidenced by keeping His commandments.

Faith and Perseverance

The fruits of true faith also include perseverance in trials. James 1:2-4 encourages believers to "consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." This perseverance is a testament to the authenticity of one's faith, refining and strengthening the believer's trust in God.

Conclusion

True faith, as depicted in the Bible, is a dynamic and transformative force in the life of a believer. It is evidenced by the fruits it produces, manifesting in love, obedience, and perseverance. Through the examples of biblical figures and the teachings of Scripture, it is clear that genuine faith is not passive but active, continually shaping the believer's life in accordance with God's will.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

James 2:21-25
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son on the altar?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

On Laying the Foundation of the New Chapel, Near the City-Road ...
... When has true religion, I will not say since ... accounts either terrible or desirable,
having evidenced, in the ... deep a repentance, so strong a faith, so fervent ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 132 on laying the.htm

Love's Logic
... to you when there was nothing in you that evidenced it ... The more true his knowledge
and the more sure, the ... your gratitude, but every grain of faith will increase ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/loves logic.htm

The New Evangelism: and Its Relation to Cardinal Doctrines
... enemy under certain circumstances to a true Evangelism than ... is a vital difference
between Faith and credulity. ... theology is in nothing better evidenced than by ...
/.../berkhof/new evangelism and other papers/the new evangelism and its.htm

Index of Subjects.
... at Jerusalem, [176]6; Christ's Resurrection, evidenced by the ... Ruler, the true, he
that rules himself first ... Scriptures, sufficient to produce faith, [875]126: to ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/index of subjects.htm

On God's vineyard
... But this desire must be evidenced by three marks: Avoiding ... I not have expected a
general increase of faith and love, of righteousness and true holiness; yea ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 107 on gods vineyard.htm

The Last Discourses of Christ - the Prayer of Consecration.
... thereby the Father is glorified and our discipleship evidenced. ... of Jehovah; the Personal,
Living, True God, and of ... of His Essential Nature, and faith in His ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xi the last discourses.htm

The Benefits of an Early Piety
... use of all the means of grace, evidenced by a good ... but followers of them, who through
faith and patience inherit the promises." It is true, we have ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the benefits of an early.htm

Theory of Book I.
... would be to ask the impossible"but as evidenced in signs ... may appear, it is none the
less true that the ... men to embody them in works of faith and righteousness ...
//christianbookshelf.org/jackson/the message and the man/theory of book i.htm

Marks of Having Received the Holy Ghost
... received the Holy Ghost without measure, so he evidenced it by ... when he saw any noble
instance of faith, though in ... It is true, you, as well as the righteous, in ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/marks of having received the.htm

The Lord Our Righteousness
... as fruits of it; and though they spring from faith in Christ ... things out of love to
me, and hereby have evidenced yourselves to be my true disciples." And ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the lord our righteousness.htm