Words vs Actions
The power of our witness as Christians is not merely couched in our words. It is a powerful combination of our words and our actions. Out actions, our deeds, what we do, validate our words. It is not enough to say Jesus loves you or even I love you. The things I do for you have to show you that Jesus (and I) cares for you and loves you.
The Scripture speaks about this clearly and strongly. The Gospels tell the story of Jesus walking amongst people and doing things for them, demonstrating His love by His actions.
Do we care about family? Do we care about our friends? Do we care about our co-workers? Do we care about strangers we come in contact with? If the answer to all of these is yes, then what we do (or don’t do) should speak clearly to them. Many times we are challenged to do things that are not for us, but for others. We may not want to do them, but we choose to do them for the sake of those others.
We are also commanded to go beyond just faith. James says show me your faith and I will show you what I do. Faith without action is empty, hollow and meaningless. He says show me your faith and I will show you what I do because of my faith.
Doing is so much more difficult than saying. Saying indicates an intention and perhaps some noble thought. Doing, on the other hand, is the evidence of what you have said and intended. Can you prove your intention by what you are now doing? The sad truth is that too often our witness as Christians to those who are not Christ followers is diluted by our poor choice of action, or our inaction. We are judged by unbelievers by what we choose to not do or do that is goes against what we say. I am reminded of many examples such as those who would kill to preserve life. Saying has become stronger than doing.
The command extends also to obedience. Obedience is doing things that we are told to do not only for our good, but also for the common good. Romans 12 is all about the Jewish Christians wanting to have faith and not bow down to Rome. Paul admonishes them to obey through their actions those whom God has placed over them (us), those who are in authority over them (us).
We have little choice if we are to show Christ. We have to let our faith drive our actions and demonstrate to the people in our lives that we truly do care and that the evidence is all that we do. This is what showing Jesus really and truly means. And it is so much harder to do than to say.
