Either Make the Tree Good and It's Fruit Good, or Make the Tree Bad and It's Fruit Bad

"Faith without works is dead".

In the same way, I believe works without faith are dead.

Works are the effect, not the cause. God is our focus and our love. Not works. The works are a natural over flow. Which is why the bible refers to it as the fruit. Fruit grows naturally on a branch when it is connected to the vine.

"Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles." We can't be alive if we are dead. Good works don't come from striving, but being. Apart from Him, we can do nothing. If we don't abide in Him, we are withered.

I've always heard this as if I don't produce fruit for God, then I will be withered. But Jesus says exactly the opposite. If I try and produce fruit, I will be, "cast out as a branch and withered."

"A good person, out of his good treasure, brings forth good."

Good fruit is suppose to be (super)-natural from the indwelling life of Christ. How else could we, "run and not grow weary"?