“17 Even so faith, if it haS not works, is dead, being alone.

18 Yea, a man may say, You haVE faith, and I have works: show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” James 2:17-18

This new creature created in the born again Believer is a result of the Divine Nature place in us by the Holy Spirit at Salvation. The sin nature which ruled and reigned in our hearts is isolated by the power of the Holy Spirit who comes to dwell in the Believer giving us the ability to partake in our new Divine Nature.

“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these you might be partakers of the Divine Nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:4

Before Salvation our good works are dead…and to be sure, after Salvation our good works are all too often dead as well because they are rooted in dead faith; faith in our intellect being fed from our flesh. After all, who among us has ever had a bad idea?

Not partaking in the Divine Nature produces dead works. Works which produce fruit unto death because our faith is not placed properly placed in the Cross of Christ Jesus. The carnal mind does not understand the things of God and therefore doesn’t understand the ministry of the Holy Spirit to literally change our heart and cause us to be occupied with the things of the Lord instead of the things of this world.

With our faith placed in Jesus Christ and Him crucified, Who He is and what He has done for whosoever will believe, our members become instruments unto righteousness because we know that in us is no good thing but by the power of the Holy Spirit working in us we are afforded the ability to partake in the Divine Nature Jesus Christ afforded us at Calvary. We are no longer slaves unto sin but servants of God. As our faith is in the Cross of Christ to break the power of sin, the Holy Spirit is occupied with the work of God in our lives which in turn produces fruit unto God…fruit made for HIS glory, not our own.

Faith in ourselves; our good intentions, zeal and/or sincerity does not produce fruit unto God. It in fact produces fruit unto death; fruit which leavens the whole lump because it’s root is pride.

We are known by our fruit, not our works. On that day, the Lord will say to many who have done many wonderful works in His Name, “I never knew you, depart from me you who work iniquity.”

“21 Not every one that says unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but He that does the will of My Father which is in Heaven.

22 Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your Name? and in Your Name have cast out devils? and in Your Name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:21-23

Daily examining ourselves is necessary to determine whether we are in the faith or not. Are we Saved? Of course, providing we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. Are we always partaking in the Divine Nature afforded us be the Cross of Christ? No, no we’re not. The world, the flesh and the devil is forever trying to hinder our walk with the Lord. Such is the reason we fight this fight daily; the fight of faith in Jesus Christ and Him crucified. It is unto Him we live and unto Him the glory goes. Be determined this day to know nothing else among you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Partake in the Divine Nature and see the power of the Lord move on your behalf as the Grace of God flows uninterrupted into your circumstance. He is indeed worthy of our praise.

-Donna Clark Warren