Cornelius Stam published a short daily devotional called “Two Minutes With the Bible.” After the death of Mr. Stam, the Berean Bible Society carries on this publication with new articles by recent authors. In a well-intentioned article titled “Dead Faith,” Stam asserts the following:
Hence with James the emphasis is on works, not because good works can save or even help to save, but because true faith inevitably bears fruit and we can judge true faith only by the fruit it bears. Our Lord said: “By their fruits ye shall know them”. Hence James’ epistle abounds with such phraseology as, “ye see”, “show me”, “I will show you”, etc.
Stam’s regard for salvation without works stands in stark contrast with many gospel presentations today. However, there’s another issue I would like to touch on in this statement. The quote “By their fruits ye shall know them,” comes from Matthew chapter 7 verses 16 and 20. Many Christians, including Stam in this article, recite this phrase uttered by the Lord to explain how we can tell whether someone is truly saved. They look for “fruit” in the life of a person to indicate whether the person experienced spiritual regeneration. Stam uses it in this sense in his article. Unfortunately, Stam as many others, does not use the phrase in context. His intended use actually changes the meaning found in the passage.
(Matthew 7:15) Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. (Matthew 7:16) Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
The “them” refers to the “false prophets” who are also “ravening wolves.” Thus, the “fruits” are the errors and falsehoods produced by these people – evil works. A bad root produces a bad result. The passage is an exhortation to believers to recognize false teachers. In the related cross reference, Luke writes:
(Luke 6:43) For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. (Luke 6:44) For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. (Luke 6:45) A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
The heart will produce the teachings that will be spoken.
Again, the phrase is used in Matthew:
(Matthew 7:19) Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. (Matthew 7:20) Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
The context of the verses isn’t about recognizing true believers. Rather, the context is about recognizing false teachers. The Lord isn’t telling his disciples to use the works produced by people as a litmus test of their salvation. He is telling them to use the works produced by people, measured against the standard of His teachings, as a means to determine if they are false prophets and “ravening wolves.” That’s why He goes on to tell them:
(Luke 6:46) And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
And
(Matthew 7:21) Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
I see two things that we need to carefully consider. First, no one can see the spirit of another person. Since spiritual regeneration is a spiritual work, we cannot “see” whether a person is truly saved. We do not have the capacity or right to judge whether a person is truly a child of God. Secondly, “fruit” is a very subjective term. Most Christians use it to mean the spirituality manifested in a person’s life. They look for “fruit” to mean: interest in the Bible, prayer life, church attendance, etc. This is a very dangerous path to tread. When we start setting up the standards of what “fruit” means, we are putting ourselves in the position of Christ. What about Christians who cannot obtain a printed copy of the Bible? Are they able to bear fruit? What about Christians who are locked up in solitary confinement? Are they able to bear fruit? What about the Corinthian church? Were they still saints regardless of their sinful lives?
It’s incredibly important that we strive to be good Bible students regardless of who is teaching. While we preach a gospel of grace apart from works, it’s also critical we don’t look to man-made works as a proof of belief in the gospel.
AMEN!! This needs to be preached from every pulpit! From every church who claims that salvation is by grace through faith. We need to lovingly hold teachers/pastors accountable for this erroneous teaching. It is no wonder the church has become legalistic and dare I say cannabalistic in how we regard our brothers and sisters in Christ. It there is a salvation problem then we need to address that problem, however if it is a maturity or spiritual growth issue then we need to address this problem. It is my opinion that we need to address it in this order the best we can while asking God and the Spirit for discernment. If we don’t we create and give the devil further opportunity to convolute the gospel and the spiritual growth in the body which stems in from grace alone and the eternal security that is tied to this great gift. My heart and spirit rejoice Pastor Glen for this timely teaching. God strengthen you to keep doing this.
Reyni
Amen, Glen!
My articles criticizing Rick Warren’s “gospel” get hit with this complaint quite often. “But he does so much good in the world!” “Look at the size of his ministry!” That’s why I zero in on someone’s profession of the gospel rather than their actions in judging their faithfulness to the gospel of Christ. Our good works mean nothing if they’re not done through Christ living in us, and he isn’t living in someone who hasn’t trusted him completely for salvation.
I am so grateful for voices like yours that keep reminding us of these truths of this dispensation of grace.
Devoted reader,
Deborah Collins
http://www.midactsdisp.blogspot.com
Hi, Glen,
Thanks for a great article on a subject that’s too often overlooked. It’s not our job to judge others on the basis of what they do, but by what they profess to believe. And even then, we shouldn’t assume they’re saved, but use the opportunity to clarify the gospel of Christ to make sure they know what it is!
As always, I’m enjoying the fruit of your labor, though!
Regular reader,
Deborah Collins
Glen,
As you know this is another subject that certainly needs more attention. One of the worst things a person can do to a newly saved person is to put them under the burden of proving their faith by their actions.
Doing this can greatly discourage new saints and bring doubt and heartache to their newly saved souls. They will not begin to demonstrate the fruits of the Spirit in their daily life until they learn how this is done.
Walking in the spirit is accomplished by those who are growing daily in grace truth, and by faith apply that truth to their walk. It only becomes “effectual” by those who believe it, and faithfully apply it. This is not an overnight process, but will slowly happen if the new believer is under solid grace teaching , and is taught the word of God rightly divided.
Our big hair church mega culture promotes the idea that any bible will do and have diluted the word and it’s message by endorsing the corrupted modern versions. Years of “bible correcting” by those who know “a little greek” has taken it’s toll.
Not only is the gospel muddier today than I’ve ever seen it, so is the doctrine of the sanctification of the believer!
Thank God for the King James Bible and the solid foundation of it’s reformation text. The bible doesn’t need correction, it’s the “big haired” teachers of the new age churchianity that need both correction and rebuke. We should all stand with our own apostle when he say’s in II Cor 2:17 “for we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God”: Let us stand boldly with Paul and not with the many that have forsaken the final authority of the true and faithful word of God!! This corruption has come home to roost as more and more have been deceived by it, and even those who have been able to hear a clear gospel message and get saved have been blinded to the high and holy truth of having “all joy and peace in believing”.
Keep it up and press on. Russ
Pastor Caneel,
I am thankful for your words of encouragement. It can be very weary to work with other believers who do not yet completly understand the Grace Message. It is my intent, to stand strong in the complete Truth Paul teaches us, while remaining patient and graceful to those who’s spiritual journey has not yet brought them to understand the complete message of Grace. While my strength in Grace Doctrine continues to grow. I hope the Holy Spirit will always keep me humble and help me to share Grace with love. Knowing that Grace Doctrine applied without grace is vain. I pray that Christ’s message through Paul would continue to be spoken clearly to those around us, and that we may stay strong and confident until the Day of Jesus Christ.
Rejoicing in His Grace,
Zach Dumont