Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself but must remain in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. (vv. 2-5)

“Listen then to the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one sown with seed beside the road. The one sown with seed on the rocky places, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution occurs because of the word, immediately he falls away. And the one sown with seed among the thorns, this is the one who hears the word, and the anxiety of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. But the one sown with seed on the good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces, some a hundred, some sixty, and some thirty times as much.” (Matthew 13:18-23)

There have been many discussions over faith vs. works. Many people think that the Book of James is about works before faith. But James was simply talking about true vs. false faith. Many think that faith is some kind of condition for salvation. But it is not a condition. It is a result of receiving the Holy Spirit. Christ explains about the role of the Holy Spirit in John 14, 15, and 16. And we all know that chapter 17 is about the union with God. No one can generate faith. No one can please God with their own works. There is one condition for us to become the children of God. That is the Holy Spirit. No one can earn this grace. Grace is freely given. We are all born dead because of Adam’s rebellion. Obedience is not a means to become God’s children. Obedience to the Father is a result of being one with the Son. This obedience is not based on the relationship between a master and a slave. It is from love between the Father and the Son. It is from the union of the Father and the Son. In this union, the Holy Spirit plays a vital role.

For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16)

God is always with us because of the Holy Spirit in us. Those who have received the Holy Spirit produce God’s fruit continuously. Some people think that they have the Holy Spirit because they had some mysterious experiences in the past. But they go back to their old ways and continue to be rebellious. They typically deny Sola Gratia and support strange doctrines. They may appear to keep God’s laws, but all their works are evil to God.

Verses 9 and 10 may appear to support works before faith. But we must understand verse 8 first.

⁸ My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. ⁹ Just as the Father has loved Me, I also have loved you; remain in My love. ¹⁰ If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. (vv. 8-10)

Being one with God produces faith and other fruits of the Holy Spirit. Having much fruit is proof of the presence of the Holy Spirit. God commands that we bear fruit. We tend to think that we must do something to please God and earn His love. But it is God who does all the work.

… for apart from Me you can do nothing. (v. 5)