Series: Not of Works – A Series on the Gospel of Grace

Anchor Text: Galatians 3:3 & Romans 4:5

We are living in a time where spiritual fruit has become the proof of salvation—not the result of it.

If your life doesn’t meet the approved checklist of visible transformation, many say, you were never saved in the first place.

“Many denominations—especially in America—preach some form of “final salvation.”
Over the years, I’ve met countless people who didn’t even realize they were trusting in a faith plus something gospel.
Whether it’s faith plus fruit, obedience, baptism, law-keeping, or perseverance, the result is the same:
They weren’t resting in faith alone in the finished work of Christ on the cross but instead it was another gospel.”

But Scripture turns that idea upside down.

🍇 Fruit Is Not the Root

The modern gospel says:

“You’re justified by faith, but true faith always produces fruit—and without fruit, you’re not really saved.”

Sounds convincing. Sounds holy. Sounds biblical.

But it’s not.

“But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.”
—Romans 4:5

Paul separates faith and works completely.
He does not say, “You’re justified by faith, which is proven by your behavior.”
He says you’re justified by faith apart from works.

⚠️ Why Fruit-Based Assurance Is So Dangerous

1. It shifts your assurance from Christ’s work to your walk.
2. It causes constant fear, doubt, and introspection.
3. It leads people to either:
   • Pretend to be something they’re not, or
   • Despair because they’ll never “measure up.”
4. It adds works to the gospel under the guise of “evidence.”

This is not a small error—it’s another gospel.

✅ Fruit Comes After Salvation

Of course, God desires our lives to be fruitful and holy. But that comes after we’re saved—not to prove it, not to secure it, and certainly not to keep it.

“Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?”
—Galatians 3:3

🗝️ Key Takeaway

Don’t place your confidence in your fruit.
Place it in Christ alone. The gospel isn’t “faith plus fruit.”
It’s faith in the finished work of Christ—and that alone saves.