The Bible teaches that works (what we do or don’t do) are not what save men (which eliminates the opportunity to brag about our ability or what we’ve done.) Neither is a plant sustained by the fruit it bears- but as believers, I believe that our spiritual fruit is our only evidence of this salvation. Fruit bearing is a natural, secondary consequence of such a source. 

Just as fruit-bearing trees with produce fruit after being plugged into a life-giving source (such as water), so will believers be a follower of Christ IN ACTION, NOT JUST IN PHILOSOPHY because they have found the source (Christ) of eternal life. Where the is a source, you’ll find the evidence of such a source in the presence of fruit. 

Scripture gives us the parable of the fig tree in Luke 13:6-9, 

A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’ But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that, you can cut it down.

In Luke 6:43, Jesus says that

“No good tree bears bad fruit- nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit.”

The Message translation reads simply, “Its who you are, not what you say and do, that counts.”

You’re not a Christian, you’re not a believer, just because you say you are. No salvation worth having could be manifested so cheaply. We cheat ourselves when we convince ourselves that there is no cost to be paid to partake in this salvation.

Actions not only speak louder than words- they are the only true evidence of who, or what, you serve.