Why Grace Changes Everything: A Garden, Not a Factory, Part 1
What is the difference between works and faith, and why does it matter? In our continuing series based on Pastor Chuck Smith’s book, Why Grace Changes Everything, Chuck explains how the gospel of grace invites us to bear the fruit that God desires us to see in the garden of our lives.
Have you ever considered the vast difference between works and fruit? Works suggests a factory complete with pressures, deadlines, and the constant need to produce. But fruit pictures a peaceful, tranquil garden—a place where we are inclined to stay and drink in the beauty while we enjoy each other's company.
It's important to realize that God doesn't come to His factory looking for products. He comes to His garden to enjoy its fruit. The gospel of grace invites us to leave behind the smog and pressure of a factory-like life of works, and instead bear the fruit that God desires to see in the garden of our lives.
The Natural Results of a Relationship
Galatians 3:2-3, KJV, is a critical passage for those who desire to live in a way that pleases God. Paul writes, This only would I learn of you, receive ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
Notice the apostle is comparing two things: the Spirit, which is related to faith; and works, which are related to the flesh. Whenever we get into the realm of works, we are dealing with the flesh. Whenever we are in the realm of the Spirit, we are dealing with faith. The Spirit and faith are related, as are works and the flesh.
Someone may say, “But Chuck, we must do works for the Lord.” No, we mustn't. There is not one thing that I can do in my flesh that will please God. On the other hand, faith always procures fruit.
If you are involved in works, then you are relying on the flesh. But if you are walking by faith with Jesus Christ, the Spirit is producing fruit in your life. Fruit isn't something you are generating because you think you have to; fruit is the natural result of relationship.
Look at the luscious fruit hanging on a peach tree. The peaches aren't out there struggling and working day by day trying to get ripe; all they have to do is hang in there. Ripening is the natural product of relationship. As long as they are abiding, they are going to bring forth sweet fruit.
This is true of our own experience as well. If we are truly abiding in Christ—which is a position of faith—then fruit will come forth from the relationship. If there is no fruit in my life, then the relationship must be questioned and even challenged.
That is why Paul tells us, Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? (2 Corinthians 13:5, KJV).
Jesus told us that there is such a thing as wolf in sheep's clothing. You can look like a Christian, act like a Christian, and talk like a Christian—“but Grandma, what big teeth you have!” You may have all the outward appearances of a sheep, but, in reality, be a wolf.
So how are we going to know who's who? Jesus said, “By their fruits, ye shall know them (Matthew 7:20, KJV).”
We are called to examine our lives in order to determine what kind of fruit we're bearing. If the fruit is bad, then there is something wrong with our relationship, which means there is something wrong with our faith. A vital relationship of faith in Jesus Christ will bring forth fruit—without fail.
In our next installment, Chuck urges us to be fruitful for God by abiding in Jesus Christ.
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