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