Scripture:
JDV
Doing
Luke 6:33-34
33 And if ye do good to those that do good to you , what thank
is it to you ? for even sinners do the same. 34 And if ye lend
to those from whom ye hope to receive, what thank is it to you
? [for] even sinners lend to sinners that they may receive the
like.
Actions
Matthew
21:28-30
28 But what think ye? A man had two children , and coming to the
first he said, Child, go today, work in [my] vineyard. 29 And
he answering said, I will not; but afterwards repenting himself
he went. 30 And coming to the second he said likewise; and he
answering said, *I* [go], sir, and went not.
Works
James
2:18-22
18 But some one will say, *Thou* hast faith and *I* have works
. Shew me thy faith without works , and *I* from my works will
shew thee my faith. 19 *Thou* believest that God is one. Thou
doest well. The demons even believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt
thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was
not Abraham our father justified by works when he had offered
Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Thou seest that faith wrought
with his works , and that by works faith was perfected.
Associations
14
Be not diversely yoked with unbelievers; for what participation
[is there] between righteousness and lawlessness? or what fellowship
of light with darkness? 15 and what consent of Christ with Beliar,
or what part for a believer along with an unbeliever?
There's the old saying;
"Actions
speak louder then Words."
As we read
in the first scriptural reference two sons stated what they would
or would not do. And then did the complete opposite. Their words
did not match their actions. How common this is in our World.
The danger and dilemma or conflict between what is said and what
is done can be seen in many Churches. Those individuals who show
up each Sunday. They say the pre-written prayers. They sing the
all too familiar hymns. And they seemingly shine with an amazing
level of spirituality, that anyone would think they were living
Godly lives. But to watch them the rest of the week would put
to shame this sham. They would deny the very core of the Christian
belief. They would scoff at anyone who has a strong fundamental
faith. And they live lives that are more Worldly then Godly.
Another modern slogan says;
"You
can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk"
What a strong
and true statement. When looking long and hard at our Christian
lives, can we say we can do both? Are we able to prove our faith
by our works?
Or are we falling into the same trap as so many misguided people?
Who think that they only need to do 'Good Things"
to be saved. Or just as dangerous, they believe they have a "Woofly
Faith" that hopefully will cover all aspects of spirituality;
so as not to upset any possible gods or goddesses. Like covering
the field at a race. A bet both ways on each and every horse.
If we are living a perfectly peaceful life with few problems;
then just maybe we are either fooling ourselves or we are too
closely aligned with the World that we would never be mistaken
for being Christians.
We are told that our actions and our life's will set us at odds
with the World. Some would even say that a sure sign that we are
right with God is when we find the World difficult to live in.
It's certain to say that righteous actions are rejected by an
unrighteous world. People of the flesh will always reject and
vilify people of the spirit.
So how are you living? Can you safely say you are both talking
the talk and walking the walk? Or is you life in a comfortable
cul'de'sac where people say comfortably nice things about you
and generally things run smoothly?
Prayer
My Lord and saviour,
I don't look for conflict,
Nor do I feel strong enough on my own,
To struggle and fight the World.
Yet only say the word and I will stand,
Firmly in your strength,
Filled with the Holy Spirit,
And walking after you.
And through my life,
May I be an active witness,
bringing lost souls to you,
To salvation through your Grace.
I pray this in your precious name,
Christ Jesus.
Amen