Do Not Be Deceived

Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. - 1 John 3:7

    He that doeth righteousness is righteous.

    Do not be deceived by false prophets and wicked persons who preach that it does not matter how a person lives, provided he believes the gospel, or that knowledge of theology is sufficient without obedience to the lordship of Christ in conduct. This is not true. One cannot separate faith and conduct. As Christ our Lord showed himself to be a righteous man by doing good, obeying the Father, and demonstrating love and compassion, so those who are united to him by faith, justified by his grace, and regenerated by his Spirit will seek to imitate their Lord. As a tree is known by its fruit, so a righteous man is known by his works. Good fruit does not make a tree good but shows it to be good; so good works do not make us righteous (only Christ can do that) but show us to be so (James 2:14-20, 26).