Grace in Reality
 
James 1:14-26
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? James 2:14(NIV)
Dear friends, do you think you'll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? James 2:14(Message)
Any declaration of faith that does not show results or a changing life or good works is a false declaration: A Dead Faith!
Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. Matt 7:16-20
Understanding how to distinguish between the fruit (result) and the overhead (presentation).
What is the presentation?
What is the fruit? (Gal 5:22-23); (Phil 2:3-5); (the opposites are listed in Gal 5:19-21)
So what should we do to produce the fruit?
1. Without recognizing and accepting our brokenness, there can be no life-transformation “Blessed are the poor in the Spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” Matt 5:3
What if I don’t feel brokenness?
What is brokenness?  You cannot even meet your own standard, much less God’s standards.

(Prideful heart) “When pride comes, then comes DIS-GRACE, but with humility comes wisdom.” Pr. 11:2 (No Grace)
2.  Repentance is agreeing with God that we are really messed up – and deeply appreciating that God has born the consequences of our mess! “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matt.5:4  
-        Our lives will change in proportion to the extent to which we recognize our forgiveness. (Zacchaeus, Weeping Prostitute, Maiko)
-        What is repentance?
(Repentant heart) Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 2 Cor 7:10
3.  The recognition and acceptance of our brokenness followed by repentance leads us to a total dependence on God’s grace rather than on our own strength. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matt 5:5



Believing in Him will result in our depending on Him and not on our own effort. (Phil 2:1-5)