In vain men talk of living faith

Verse 1

In vain men talk of living faith, When all their works exhibit death; When they indulge some sinful view, In all they say and all they do.

Verse 2

The true believer fears the Lord; Obeys his precepts, keeps his word; Commits his works to God alone, And seeks his will before his own.

Verse 3

A barren tree that bears no fruit, Brings no great glory to its root; When on the boughs rich fruit we see, ’Tis then we cry, “A goodly tree.”

Verse 4

Never did men, by faith divine, To selfishness and sloth incline; The Christian works with all his power, And grieves that he can work no more.