Page 364 - Bible Doctrine for Teens & Young Adults

Page 364

Beware of false prophets which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

- Matthew 7:15-20

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

But wilt thou know, 0 vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

- James 2:17-23

And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. hill

- Matthew 3:9-10

The inward-working graces of misery, deliverance, and thankfulness (or repentance, faith, and obedience) produce outward-working fruits. They produce good works of love toward God and others. While conversion on earth is not perfect, due to a remaining sinful nature, yet, good works will and must evidence themselves in the lives of true believers. In certain cases of physical or mental inability, expression of the inward graces in outward actions is not possible. This, however, is not a hindrance to God who knows and judges the hearts of all. God's normal manner of working, however, is that the inward-working graces reveal themselves in outward-working fruits, in good works of love toward God and others.

How do the following references testify of the need for good works of love toward God and others to reveal themselves in the lives of all who claim to be saved?

The Necessity of Good Works

Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, 0 generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

- Luke 3:7-9

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

- I Corinthians 13:1

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

- James 1:22

They answered and said unto Him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.

- John 8:39

For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

- Romans 2:13

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

- Ephesians 2:10

Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

- Titus 2:14

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.

- Matthew 7:24

Based upon the previous references, Scripture forbids us from viewing or speaking of anyone as being saved, one of the elect, or in the essence of the Covenant until he has personally experienced something of the inward-working graces and evidenced something of the outward-working fruits. Therefore, a clear distinction, a line

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