Fruit produced from our faith is necessary (Ephesians 2:8-10.) It would appear from Scripture (James' epistle and John's first epistle, for example), that obedience is a validation of one's salvation. I highlight "a validation." Some appear to be obedient but are not since they do not love, and love if the fulfillment of the law. In Jesus' first recorded sermon (Matthew 5-7) he reveals the intent and scope of the law and obedience to it, in that one can abstain from certain outward sins, and still commit those sins in his heart. The end of that sermon is about obedience and disobedience, which is a mark of a true believer, and is illustrated by the house on the rock or sand. I thank God that He causes us, by the Holy Spirit through the Word, to be grieved by our sins and to desire to confess our sins (1 John 1:9). It seems that the true believer will never be satisfied with disobedience or partial obedience, but will deeply desire to be obedient (Romans 7) and will continue to battle, since God's Spirit resides in him, and He is the Holy Spirit (underlined: "Holy".) The root of faith will, by God's work in His child, produce the fruit of faith. The fruit will point to the great Gardener, God Himself, and thus He will be glorified (John 15:8).
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