S
FRUITS OF SALVATION
Suppose you have an appointment with someone and he is late for the meeting. He claims to have been hit by a semi on the way. The person is whole, and is walking around and talking, without scratches, bruises or any apparent damage. Would you believe the person? The same is true of a person who has been saved. You should, over time, be able to see a difference in the person. If a person has experienced a genuine encounter with God, you should be able to see a difference in their life.
These differences are fruits of salvation.
Salvation produces fruits. Fruits do not cause salvation; they are a result of it. Fruits are evidence that a real faith exists within the person. A saved person produces fruits, including obedience and good works in their lives. They also love others selflessly. Fruits of salvation are produced by the process of sanctification, or being made holy, which follows our salvation. Sanctification involves being formed into the image of Jesus Christ, and is the work of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 4:19, Philippians 2:13, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8, 1 Peter 1:2).
The book of James talks about a faith that lacks obedience. He calls it a dead faith (James 2:14-26). True saving faith produces obedience and good works. A saved person will be a doer of the word, not just a hearer (James 1:22-25). It is very important to note, however, that works do not justify us in the sense of saving us, but they do justify us in the eyes of men, and they prove to us the genuineness of our faith. Men can see our good works and know that a change has taken place in our lives. We should examine ourselves to see that we are in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5).
Obedience and good works are linked with salvation and faith throughout the Scriptures. See John 8:31, 14:15, Romans 1:5, Titus 1:1616:26, Hebrews 12:14, 2 Timothy 2:19, 1 John 2:3, 9, 3:9.
Fruits are produced over time. Christians grow in grace and in knowledge (2 Peter 3:18). Some seasons Christians produce a lot of fruit, and some seasons they produce a smaller amount of fruit. The degree of intimacy in their relationship with God is the deciding factor in how much fruit they will produce in a given period of time. Intimacy with God is aided by prayer, Bible study, worship, and fellowship with other believers.
The concept that obedience and works are fruits of salvation is very important. There are some who claim that it is possible to receive Christ as Savior, enjoying the free gift of salvation, while denying him as Lord, the one to whom we obey. Some of these individuals are associated with the Free Grace movement, and Grace Evangelical Society. Their version of the gospel is clearly in error and should be rejected. They deny what they call Lordship Salvation. Their teachings are a modern form of antinomianism.
Suppose you have an appointment with someone and he is late for the meeting. He claims to have been hit by a semi on the way. The person is whole, and is walking around and talking, without scratches, bruises or any apparent damage. Would you believe the person? The same is true of a person who has been saved. You should, over time, be able to see a difference in the person. If a person has experienced a genuine encounter with God, you should be able to see a difference in their life.
These differences are fruits of salvation.
Salvation produces fruits. Fruits do not cause salvation; they are a result of it. Fruits are evidence that a real faith exists within the person. A saved person produces fruits, including obedience and good works in their lives. They also love others selflessly. Fruits of salvation are produced by the process of sanctification, or being made holy, which follows our salvation. Sanctification involves being formed into the image of Jesus Christ, and is the work of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 4:19, Philippians 2:13, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8, 1 Peter 1:2).
The book of James talks about a faith that lacks obedience. He calls it a dead faith (James 2:14-26). True saving faith produces obedience and good works. A saved person will be a doer of the word, not just a hearer (James 1:22-25). It is very important to note, however, that works do not justify us in the sense of saving us, but they do justify us in the eyes of men, and they prove to us the genuineness of our faith. Men can see our good works and know that a change has taken place in our lives. We should examine ourselves to see that we are in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5).
Obedience and good works are linked with salvation and faith throughout the Scriptures. See John 8:31, 14:15, Romans 1:5, Titus 1:1616:26, Hebrews 12:14, 2 Timothy 2:19, 1 John 2:3, 9, 3:9.
Fruits are produced over time. Christians grow in grace and in knowledge (2 Peter 3:18). Some seasons Christians produce a lot of fruit, and some seasons they produce a smaller amount of fruit. The degree of intimacy in their relationship with God is the deciding factor in how much fruit they will produce in a given period of time. Intimacy with God is aided by prayer, Bible study, worship, and fellowship with other believers.
The concept that obedience and works are fruits of salvation is very important. There are some who claim that it is possible to receive Christ as Savior, enjoying the free gift of salvation, while denying him as Lord, the one to whom we obey. Some of these individuals are associated with the Free Grace movement, and Grace Evangelical Society. Their version of the gospel is clearly in error and should be rejected. They deny what they call Lordship Salvation. Their teachings are a modern form of antinomianism.