Bear Fruit By Faith

*An old responce to someone that I finished, but never sent; in reference to a believers question about the below contradiction and if it condemns Christianity to failure. Figured I should put it to use somewhere.
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Some have said their is a "contradiction" of grace and works in Christianity, but is this true?

Really it is just confusing for people to grasp the idea of "salvation by grace", not works, but then to attach the honest comment, "but faith bears good fruit" implying action with it. While not an actual contradiction of any kind I think sometimes this becomes our excuse not to move forward and take up our crosses. We are saved and that doesn't require our efforts, but truth is our faith is hardly faith if we don't act faithful!

Specifically, it takes no faith to 'say' that Jesus is what He claims, but it takes faith to believe it. Even then it only takes a little faith to believe the claim, but it takes even more faith to want to follow after Him, taking up our cross, as is only right since Christians are those who "follow Christ" not just those who believe He is real. They can't know until they are told, until the confusion is removed and the truth revealed.

So what does that say to us individually? I mean sure, we believe, but to what measure? Is it evident by our lives and is that evidence affecting others? Is it strong enough that we face fears and make self-sacrifices for the glory of our professed King? Do we seek out the answers to the broken hearts and minds of the world? Important questions to all of us; it is a 'must' that we not just be saved, but live as if we believe what we claim!