The Wise Walk the Talk

Just as we experience changing natural seasons, we are also subject to
changing seasons in our spiritual life. As you think about your life in Christ, where do you see yourself on the spectrum of fruitfulness?

Are you in the spring of fruitfulness, when Christ’s activity in your life is very evident? This is a season when new seeds of truth are planted in your mind, watered and cultivated through intimacy with Christ. Are you in the summer of fruitfulness, when you are energized by what Jesus has planted in your heart and mind by his Spirit? This season holds the greatest potential for becoming consumed with doing instead of being. Are you in the autumn of fruitfulness, a joyous season of harvest when the abundance of fruit is reaped? This fruit is not the result of our works, but is the authentic fruit of intimacy with Christ. Are you in the winter of fruitfulness, a season of significant contrast between barrenness and beauty, a time of dormancy or a deep hunger for more of God? This is a season of rest and preparation for more growth to come, or a steep decline that leads to spiritual death.

Spiritual fruitfulness is a great challenge to those desiring to live out their faith in Jesus Christ. James recognizes this struggle, issuing a practical challenge for followers of Jesus (see James 2:14-26). Faith that is fruitless doesn’t accurately reflect Christ and the life to which we’re called.

James reveals that faith is more than correct doctrine (orthodoxy). We are saved by grace and not by works: that is the gospel. But faith without works is dead faith, and that is the gospel, also! This requires correct practice (orthopraxy), which involves living out our faith, putting the teachings of Scripture into practice on a daily basis, and walking the talk. As long as the Word of God remains theory and is never incarnated, we are not living by faith.

Paul Tripps writes, “Faith is not just an action of your brain; it’s an investment of your life.” As you put your faith into practice by the power of Christ in you, may God give you the wisdom to “Walk the Talk” each day of your life.