Reply To: Christian Character Discussion Board 1

[Ndz Anthony]

Jesus said in Matthew 7:19 that “every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down.” Fruitfulness is expected of those who are in Christ. Good works like love, kindness, and righteousness aren’t just moral actions — they are spiritual evidence that Christ lives in us. As we learned in class, 1 John 4:7–8 reminds us that whoever truly knows God will walk in love, because *God is love* — and love is one of the fruits of the Spirit.

James 2:17 strengthens this point: *“Faith without works is dead.” While good works don’t earn our salvation, they show that we’ve truly received grace. They make our inward faith visible — our lives become living testimonies of what we believe.

In summary, when our actions reflect God’s character, we don’t just honor Christ — we reveal Him to the world. That’s why Romans 14:17 says the kingdom of God is not about eating and drinking, but about *righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. And both peace and joy are fruits of the Spirit. So yes, the good works that flow from a relationship with Jesus are not only evidence of our faith — they are powerful witnesses for Him.