Originally Posted by
newbirth
Gotta chime in with gratefull on this one.
Works - yes they must be present... but they stem from faith, not otherwise... the more and stronger we believe God the better fruits we will produce so the focus in on Him not on us, Jesus said abide in Me to bear fruit, by so many threads about this, one would say that it works the other way round for some people??? I shudder seeing that many young Christians learn this way, as I did in the past and knew no peace, instead of the gentle yoke of Christ. We receive salvation by faith, what causes us to switch to works halfway? Jesus could cast demons out and set people free not because they worked for it but because they believed. The same goes for any addiction and bad habit one might have. Our faith is the requirement and the green light for GOD to do HIS mighty WORK through us and CHANGE us.
And here is the answer to what you asked:
John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As
the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.