Living Seeds in Good Soil - The Wesleyan Church

As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. (James 2:26)

Expanded Passage: James 2:25-26

It’s almost that time of year again when I’ll begin preparing my raised vegetable gardens. I love to put seeds into the container of little dirt pods, water them, and then cover them up with a plastic lid to create a good environment for germination. I fully expect that many of those seeds will sprout to new life within a couple of weeks. Some won’t, however, because those seeds are not alive.

When seeds are planted, they don’t all sprout life. And while we may expect every seed of the gospel that we plant will ultimately display evidence of a changed life, it is not always so. As we read in the parable of the sower, only some seeds fall on good soil, and can flourish in this world of thorns, predators, and dry ground. Plants that grow in good soil are vibrant and bear obvious good fruit.

James maintained that faith without deeds is dead. He wanted the believers to take stock of their fruit. Were their lives producing life from good soil? Or were the seeds planted in the greenhouse dormant and unyielding because they were actually dead?

There is also an urgent invitation for us to be honest and determine whether we are bearing good fruit in our lives. As we do, more seeds of the gospel will be sown.

Be honest with yourself and God about your new life in Christ.

Elizabeth Rhyno is a wife and mom, life and faith coach, wellness entrepreneur, and worship pastor. She is a champion for helping people let joy loose by uncovering their God-designed purpose.